title: Potentiation of histamine release by Microfungal (1-->3)- and (1-->6)-beta-D-glucans.
abstract: (1-->3)-beta-D-Glucans, a cell wall component in most microfungi, are suggested to play a role in the development of respiratory and general symptoms in organic dust-related diseases. The mechanisms by which they induce these effects are, however, not clear. In the present study, mediator release and its potentiation by the (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan as well as by the (1-->6)-beta-D-glucan found in yeast and other fungi were therefore examined. Blood leucocytes from healthy volunteers and from patients allergic to house dust mite were incubated with (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans with increasing 1,6-branchings: curdlan [a linear (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan], laminarin and scleroglucan, and furthermore with pustulan, a linear (1-->6)-beta-D-glucan. Histamine release was not observed on exposure to the glucans only, but in the presence of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody or specific antigens, all the glucans investigated led to an enhancement of the IgE-mediated histamine release. The glucans induced a significant potentiation of the mediator release when present at concentrations in the range of 2-5 x 10(-5) M. These results suggest that (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan as well as (1-->6)-beta-D-glucan aggravates IgE-mediated histamine release. Knowledge concerning the effects of glucans on immune responses may be of importance for understanding and treating inflammatory and allergic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, the Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holck
authors.forename: Marit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sletmoen
authors.forename: Bjørn Torger
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Stokke
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Permin
authors.forename: Svend
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Norn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry; D004391:Dust / Q000276:immunology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry; D005936:Glucans / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D005936:Glucans; D011134:Polysaccharides; D047071:beta-Glucans; C002076:pustulan; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C064197:beta-1,6-glucan; C045938:scleroglucan; C038459:curdlan; D006632:Histamine; C008247:laminaran; C033363:beta-1,3-glucan