title: Microbial polysaccharide: new insights for treating autoimmune diseases.
abstract: The immunosuppressive properties of Glucuronoxylomannnan (GXM), a purified capsular polysaccharide of the opportunistic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, have been extensively elucidated. GXM can inhibit the function of cells belonging to both the innate and adaptive immune systems, leading to inhibition of proinflammatory responses as well as of autoimmune inflammation.This review focuses on the role of GXM as a novel anti-inflammatory agent and puts in perspective the direct implications of its potential destination to clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, Microbiology Section, University of Perugia, Perugia 06122, Italy. vecchiar@unipgit
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vecchiarelli
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monari
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011134:Polysaccharides; C027478:glucuronoxylomannan