title: β-Glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Induces IFN-γ Production In Vivo in BALB/c Mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  β-Glucan is one of the most abundant polymers in nature and has been established as an immunomodulator. This compound has notable physiological effects on mammalian immune systems, including anti-tumor and anti-infective activities and can activate the immune response. It is considered that the immune-stimulating activities of β-glucan can depend on physicochemical parameters, such as molecular size. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as baker's yeast, is a frequently used source of β-glucan. The aim of the experiments was to investigate how different Saccharomyces cerevisiae β-glucan preparations with different molecular size affect interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in BALB/c mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo and in vitro BALB/c mouse models were used for the investigations. Different β-glucan preparations were orally administrated in the in vivo experiments. IFN-γ production in BALB/c mice was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and measuring interferon-γ RNA concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that orally-administered β-glucan from S. cerevisiae enhanced IFN-γ production in BALB/c mice in the in vivo model, but not by mouse leukocytes in vitro. Moreover, water-soluble β-glucan enhanced IFN-γ production more effectively than did particulate β-glucan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IFN-γ plays an important role in immunity against viral and bacterial infections. Our experiments have shown that β-glucan preparations enhance IFN-γ production in BALB/c mice and can be potentially used for immune system stimulation in mammals. Current results may be used to develop soluble β-glucan nutritional supplements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, State Scientific Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania JSC Biocentras, Vilnius, Lithuania arturas.biocentras@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Javmen
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, State Scientific Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Aušra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nemeikaitė-Čėnienė
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, State Scientific Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Maksim
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bratchikov
authors.affiliation: JSC Biocentras, Vilnius, Lithuania Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Saulius
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grigiškis
authors.affiliation: JSC Biocentras, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Fortūnatas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grigas
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, State Scientific Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jonauskienė
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, State Scientific Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Danguolė
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zabulytė
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, State Scientific Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Mykolas
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mauricas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D062610:Fungal Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000737:chemistry; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D062610:Fungal Polysaccharides; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D047071:beta-Glucans; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: Interferon-gamma; immune modulation; mice; yeast; β-glucan