title: PGG-Glucan activates NF-kappaB-like and NF-IL-6-like transcription factor complexes in a murine monocytic cell line.
abstract: PGG-Glucan (Betafectin) is a novel soluble beta-glucan immunomodulator that enhances leukocyte microbicidal activities without inducing inflammatory cytokines. Although several different receptors for soluble and particulate beta-glucans have been described, the signal transduction pathway(s) used by soluble beta-glucans have not been elucidated. We report that in a murine monocytic cell line (BMC2.3) PGG-Glucan activates nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-like and NF-interleukin-6 (IL-6)-like transcription factors. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that PGG-Glucan activation of the factors is time- and concentration-dependent. The NF-kappaB-like complex includes subunit p65 (rel-A) as one of its components, but apparently not p50 (kappaB1), p52 (kappaB2), p68 (rel-B), or p75 (C-rel) family members. The NF-IL-6-like complex contains subunit C/EBP-beta (NF-IL-6alpha) as one of its components, but apparently not C/EBP-alpha or C/EBP-delta (NF-IL-6beta). As expected, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated p65/p50 NF-kappaB and C/EBP-beta NF-IL-6 complexes, increased the nuclear titer of p65 and p50 antigens, and increased cytokine (IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha) mRNA production. In contrast, PGG-Glucan increased the nuclear titer of p65, but apparently not p50, and did not induce cytokine mRNA production. These data demonstrate that PGG-Glucan utilizes signal transduction pathways different from those used by LPS. The data suggest that activation of the PGG-Glucan-stimulated factors is not sufficient to stimulate cytokine mRNA transcription.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology/Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Pero
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Petro
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nathans
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Mackin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wakshull
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005936:Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D047071:beta-Glucans
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005936:Glucans; D016328:NF-kappa B; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D047071:beta-Glucans; C069894:poly-1-6-glucopyranosyl-1-3-glucopyranose glucan