β-Glucans are involved in immune-modulation of THP-1 macrophages.
METHODS
We aimed to examine different immunological aspects of β-glucans derived from different food sources (oat, barley and shiitake) on phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-differentiated THP-1 macrophages. Commercially purified barley β-glucan (commercial BG) and lentinan were included to compare β-glucans from the same origin but different degree of purity and processing.


RESULTS
Chemical composition and molecular weight distribution of β-glucan samples were determined. Inflammation-related gene expression kinetics (IL-1β, IL-8, nuclear factor kappa B [NF-κB] and IL-10) after 3, 6 and 24 h of stimulation with 100 μg/mL β-glucan were investigated. All tested β-glucans mildly upregulated the observed inflammation-related genes with differential gene expression patterns. Similar gene expression kinetics, but different fold induction values, was found for the crude β-glucan extracts and their corresponding commercial forms. Pre-incubation of THP-1 macrophages with β-glucans prior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure decreased the induction of inflammation-related genes compared to LPS treatment. No production of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was detected in β-glucan stimulated THP-1 macrophages. Phagocytic activity was not different after stimulation by β-glucan samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these in vitro analyses, it can be concluded that the analysed β-glucans have varying levels of immunomodulating properties, which are likely related to structure, molecular weight and compositional characteristic of β-glucan.
Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands. wasaporn.chanput@wur.nl
Wasaporn
W
Chanput
Marit
M
Reitsma
Lennart
L
Kleinjans
Jurriaan J
JJ
Mes
Huub F J
HF
Savelkoul
Harry J
HJ
Wichers
D018554:Avena / Q000737:chemistry; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D001467:Hordeum / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D020942:Shiitake Mushrooms / Q000737:chemistry; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D047071:beta-Glucans; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate