title: Macrophage activation in vitro by chemically cross-linked (1----3)-beta-D-glucans.
abstract: The chemical cross-linking of soluble (1----3)-beta-D-glucans having molecular weights of 21000 (CL 3 h) and 6400 (CL 6 h), and laminarin (CL LAMI), which showed negligible biological activity, by epichlorohydrin provided rigid particles. These particles showed no gel-to-sol transition upon the addition of sodium hydroxide. We compared the effects of chemical cross-linking on the biological activities of glucans. The alternative complement pathway was not activated by any of the cross-linked glucans. Glucose consumption, lysosomal enzyme release, and interleukin-1 production by mouse resident peritoneal macrophages incubated in vitro were strongly induced by CL 3 h, CL 6 h and CL LAMI. However, cross-linked dextran, Sephadex, did not exhibit any of these biological activities. These results suggested that chemical cross-linking of (1----3)-beta-D-glucans enhances macrophage activities without opsonization by complement components.
authors.affiliation: Tokyo College of Pharmacy, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ohno
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohsawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oikawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yadomae
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005936:Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D047071:beta-Glucans
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005936:Glucans; D047071:beta-Glucans; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan; D005947:Glucose