title: Gamma-irradiated β-glucan induces immunomodulation and anticancer activity through MAPK and NF-κB pathways.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to evaluate the antitumor activity of low-molecular-weight β-glucan (LMBG) produced by gamma irradiation (50 kGy), using in vivo and in vitro models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicate that treatment with LMBG increased the proliferation of murine peritoneal macrophages, and their production of tumor necrosis factor α and nitric oxide, to a greater extent than treatment with high-molecular-weight β-glucan (HMBG). The activation of peritoneal macrophages by LMBG was mediated by both mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB signaling. Interestingly, when administered prophylactically, LMBG significantly inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis in mice injected with B16BL6 melanoma cells compared with the HMBG-treated group. In comparison with HMBG treatment, LMBG treatment also elevated cell proliferation, cytokine (interferon-γ and interleukin-2) production, and CD8(+) T cell populations in splenocytes from tumor-bearing mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data indicate that LMBG is important in eliciting antitumor activity through a non-specific immune response and may play a major role as a value-added product in the medical industry.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, 580-185, Republic of Korea.|Department of Radiation Biotechnology and Applied Radioisotope Science, University of science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eui-Baek
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.affiliation: Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, 580-185, Republic of Korea.|Department of Radiation Biotechnology and Applied Radioisotope Science, University of science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Advanced Radiation Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jeongeup, 580-185, Republic of Korea.|Department of Radiation Biotechnology and Applied Radioisotope Science, University of science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Beom-Su
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Kongju National University, Yesan, 340-800, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Nak-Yun
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Kongju National University, Yesan, 340-800, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eui-Hong
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Byun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005720:Gamma Rays; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D047071:beta-Glucans; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: cancer treatment; gamma irradiation; immune response; β-glucan