title: Potential of the beta-glucans to enhance innate resistance to biological agents.
abstract: The use of numerous mushroom species in traditional medicine has been widely documented, with their observed immunomodulatory effects now attributed, in part, to bioactive components called beta-glucans. The beta-glucans are of particular interest since they are naturally occurring polymers of glucose, are orally active when taken as food supplements and have a long track record of safe use. Due to their immunomodulatory properties, purified beta-glucans have been used clinically as part of a combination therapy for a variety of cancers and their potential anti-infective properties have received attention. This review relates the structure of beta-glucans to their function, with a particular focus on their documented immunomodulatory effects and the mechanisms by which they affect inter- and intracellular function, resulting in potential antimicrobial benefits. Overall, the benefits of dietary supplementation with beta-glucans in order to enhance innate resistance to biological agents are evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Wiltshire, SP4 OJQ, UK. ijtthompson@dstl.gov.uk
authors.forename: Iain J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Petra C F
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Oyston
authors.forename: Diane E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D000363:Agaricales / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D051379:Mice; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition; D047071:beta-Glucans