title: Modulation of animal and human hematopoiesis by β-glucans: a review.
abstract: β-glucans are cell wall constituents of bacteria, yeast, fungi, and plants. They are not expressed in mammalian cells, but they are recognized by mammalian cells as pathogen-associated molecular patterns by pattern recognition receptors and thus act as biological response modifiers. This review summarizes data on the hematopoiesis-stimulating effects of β-glucans, as well as on their ability to enhance bone marrow recovery after an injury. β-glucans have been shown to support murine hematopoiesis suppressed by ionizing radiation or cytotoxic anti-cancer therapy. They also enhance stem cell homing and engraftment. Basically, two forms of β-glucan preparations have been investigated, namely particulate and soluble ones. β-glucans are generally well tolerated, the particulate forms showing a higher incidence of undesirable side effects. Taken together, the hematopoiesis-stimulating properties of β-glucans predetermine these biological response modifiers to ever increasing use in human medicinal practice.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Biophysics, vvi, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 135, CZ-61265 Brno, Czech Republic. hofer@ibp.cz
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pospíšil
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D004304:Dosage Forms; D006397:Hematinics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004304:Dosage Forms; D006397:Hematinics; D047071:beta-Glucans