LOS ANGELES—Beta glucan size and molecular structure are critical to receptor binding and the resulting innate immune cell response, according to a new study published in the journal Nature using Biothera’s beta glucans (Nature. 2011 April 28:472(471–475).DOI:10.1038/nature10071). David Underhill, Ph.D., Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and his research team found specific beta glucan structures bind to a particular receptor (Dectin-1) while other beta glucans structures did not.
In order to protect the body, innate immune cells must be able to distinguish between direct binding to microbes and detection of components shed from the surface of microbes located at a distance. Dectin-1 is a pattern-recognition receptor expressed by myeloid phagocytes (macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils) that detects beta glucans in fungal cell walls and triggers direct cellular antimicrobial activity, including phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
In contrast to inflammatory responses stimulated upon detection of soluble ligands by other pattern-recognition receptors, Dectin-1responses are only useful when a cell comes into direct contact with a microbe.
In this study the researchers showed, despite its ability to bind both soluble and particulate beta glucans, Dectin-1 signaling is only activated by particulate beta glucans, specifically Wellmune WGP®, from Biothera, Eagan, MN. Dectin-1 distinguishes between direct microbial contact and detection of microbes at a distance, a distinction that enables effective microbial-killing responses. When bound to Biothera¹s Wellmune WGP®, Dectin-1 signaling primed immune cells for phagocytosis, a mechanism used to recognize and destroy pathogens.
“This research demonstrates that the structure of beta glucans matters," said William Grossman, M.D., Ph.D., Biothera senior vice president of research & development. “Even slight molecular differences in beta glucans affect the signaling pathways used to induce different killing mechanisms. These data expand on our previous research showing that some of our other beta glucan structures bind to CR3, inducing separate and unique mechanisms."
Dr. Underhill, added, “This research was possible because of Biothera’s capability to isolate, modify and characterize these beta glucan compounds."
Biothera is a U.S. biotechnology company that has developed glucans as both pharmaceutical applications and immune health ingredients for foods, beverages and supplements. Wellmune WGP® is a food-grade, immune-health ingredient for functional foods, beverages and supplements in more than 30 countries.
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