title: The influence of small oligosaccharides on the immune system.
abstract: In this study, oligosaccharides known to enhance the synthesis of penicillin by Penicillium chrysogenum have been presented to human immune cells and their effect measured. In addition a range of commercially available oligosaccharides have been tested. Results obtained indicate that oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerisation greater than 6 and with a tendency to form helical structures are most effective at influencing the immune system as measured by the production of reactive oxidising species. Laminariheptaose has been shown to increase reactive oxidising species production by up to 25%, whilst mannan-oligosaccharides with a DP of 6 to 7 decrease production by up to 44%. These and other results show that the immune system can recognise subtle differences in oligosaccharides and that these oligosaccharides could potentially be used to modulate the immune response.
authors.affiliation: Carbohydrate Research Group, School of Bioscience, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK.
authors.forename: Elliot J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Bland
authors.forename: Tajalli
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keshavarz
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bucke
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry; D002469:Cell Separation; D003505:Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000737:chemistry; D005936:Glucans / Q000737:chemistry; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010407:Penicillium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: C110400:2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate; D000464:Alginates; D003505:Cyclodextrins; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005936:Glucans; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011108:Polymers; D011134:Polysaccharides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C029569:diacetyldichlorofluorescein; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; C009109:pullulan; D010100:Oxygen