Macrophage stimulation activity of the polysaccharide fraction from a marine alga (Porphyra yezoensis): structure-function relationships and improved solubility.
The polysaccharide fraction from Porphyra yezoensis (PASF) has already been shown to stimulate murine phagocytic functions in vivo and in vitro [Y. Yoshizawa et al., Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 57, 1862-1866 (1993)]. In this study, various treatments were applied to PASF to assess its structure-function relationships. Desulfation of PASF decreased in vitro macrophage-stimulation activity, while further sulfation of PASF did not change the activity. Among 7 fractions obtained by anion-exchange chromatography of PASF, stronger activity was found in the fractions having a lower or higher sulfate content than in those having a medium sulfate content. Digests of PASF with beta-agarase showed higher activity and solubility, and lower viscosity, than undigested PASF. These results indicate that the sulfate groups in PASF, probably porphyran, contributed to the macrophage stimulating activity, although a larger number of sulfate groups did not always cause stronger activity.
Research and Development Center, Showa Sangyo Co., Ltd., Chiba, Japan.
Y
Y
Yoshizawa
A
A
Ametani
J
J
Tsunehiro
K
K
Nomura
M
M
Itoh
F
F
Fukui
S
S
Kaminogawa
D000818:Animals; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D005260:Female; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D015394:Molecular Structure; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D012995:Solubility; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013463:Sulfuric Acid Esters / Q000378:metabolism; D014783:Viscosity
D011134:Polysaccharides; D013463:Sulfuric Acid Esters; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; C019624:agarase