title: β-Glucan enhances cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses by activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells via the PI3K/AKT pathway.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of β-(1,3/1,6)-d-glucan on dendritic cells (DCs) maturation, cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and the molecular mechanisms of its transition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human monocyte-derived DCs were matured using yeast-derived particulate β-glucan (WGP) or a mix of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 ("Conv mix"). Multicolor flow cytometry was used to study the DCs phenotype and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte priming and differentiation. ELISA and RT-PCR assays were used to evaluate cytokine production. Western blot was used to investigate the signal pathways. WGP-matured DCs functions were compared with those of Conv mix-matured DCs. WGP-matured DCs expressed higher levels of CD11c, CD86, CD40 and HLA-DR; produced higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines; and elicited more CTL priming and differentiation than Conv mix-matured DCs. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was involved in WGP-induced dendritic cell maturation. Furthermore, WGP-matured DCs significantly increased tumor-specific CTL responses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excellent ability of yeast-derived particulate β-glucan to induce DCs maturation and tumor-specific CTL responses explains, in part, its clinical benefits and emphasizes its utility in ex vivo maturation of DCs generated for therapy.
authors: Oncology Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China; Deparment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Ding
authors: Oncology Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China.
authors: Tongbao
authors: T
authors: Feng
authors: Oncology Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China.
authors: Yongling
authors: Y
authors: Ning
authors: Oncology Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China.
authors: Wenjing
authors: W
authors: Li
authors: Deparment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China.
authors: Qiyong
authors: Q
authors: Wu
authors: Oncology Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China.
authors: Keqing
authors: K
authors: Qian
authors: Oncology Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China; Deparment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China.
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Oncology Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, China. Electronic address: qichunjian@gmail.com.
authors: Chunjian
authors: C
authors: Qi
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D047071:beta-Glucans
keywords: Dendritic cells; Immune response; Signal pathway; β-Glucan