title: beta-Glucans and dectin-1.
abstract: beta-Glucans are naturally occurring carbohydrates that possess immune-modulating activities, but their mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Recent discoveries, however, including identification of beta-glucan receptors, such as dectin-1, have started to shed some light on the mechanisms underlying the properties of these carbohydrates. The characterization of dectin-1, in particular, has revealed some of the processes involved in beta-glucan sensing, intracellular signaling, and induction of cellular responses and has provided new insights into the role of beta-glucans in immunity and disease. Here we review both beta-glucans and their receptor, dectin-1.
authors.affiliation: Division of Immunology, CLS, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: S Vicky
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Tsoni
authors.forename: Gordon D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099181:Dectin-1
chemical_list: D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008024:Ligands; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D047071:beta-Glucans; D000099181:Dectin-1; C045268:beta-glucan receptor