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- Title
Aureobasidium-Derived Soluble Branched (1,3-1,6) α-Glucan (Sophy α-glucan) Enhances Natural Killer Activity in Leishmania amazonensis-Infected Mice.
- Authors
Yatawara, Lalani; Wickramasinghe, Susiji; Nagataki, Mitsuru; Takamoto, Misa; Nomura, Haruka; Ikeue, Yasunori; Watanabe, Yoshiya; Agatsum, Takeshi
- Abstract
The β-glucans derived from yeast cell walls have been reported for having many immunomodulatory activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, Aureobasidium-derived soluble branched (1,3-1,6) β-glucan (Sophy β-glucan) was checked for natural killer (NK) activity and for the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in Leishmania amazonensis infection. The main experiment was performed with a group of female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, orally supplemented with 5% of Sophy β-glucan and infected with promastogotes of L. amazonensis (1 x 107) into the footpad. Increase in the footpad thickness with time was observed in BALB/c mice in spite of the oral Sophy b-glucan supplement, but it was less in C57BL/6 mice. The difference in overall mean footpad thickness between 'infection only' versus 'infection + glucan' groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). High NK activity in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice was observed in 'glucan only' group compared to the control group and also in 'infection + glucan' group compared to 'infection only' group. The difference in the NK activity among these groups was significant (P < 0.05). The IFN-γ level increased at weeks 7 and 8 post-infection in C57BL/6 mice and was significantly high in 'infection + glucan' group compared to the 'infection only' group (P < 0.05). IL-4 levels did not increase up to detectable levels throughout the study. The results led a conclusion that Sophy β-glucan enhances NK activity and cellular immunity in L. amazonensis-infected mice.
- Subjects
GLUCANS; KILLER cells; INTERFERONS; INTERLEUKIN-4; CELLULAR immunity; LEISHMANIA; LABORATORY mice
- Publication
Korean Journal of Parasitology, 2009, Vol 47, Issue 4, p345
- ISSN
0023-4001
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3347/kjp.2009.47.4.345