title: Potential of glucans as vaccine adjuvants: A review of the α-glucans case.
abstract: α-Glucans are present in virtually all domains of life, and these glucose chains linked by α-1,4- and α-1,6-linked branches form the most important storage carbohydrates in cells. It is likely for this reason that α-glucans are not generally considered as bioactive molecules as β-glucans are. Nevertheless, it is known that depending on their source, many α-glucans play important roles as modulators of immune response. Recent efforts have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms through which α-glucans exert their immunostimulant effects; however, the main challenge is the accurate identification of the receptors of immune cells involved in their recognition. Here, we review the adjuvant properties reported for some polysaccharides and ultimately focus on α-glucans and how their structural characteristics, such as molecular weight, solubility and derivatization, influence their immunostimulatory properties. As a final point, we discuss the potential and associated challenges of using these polysaccharides as adjuvants, particularly in mucosal vaccination.
authors.affiliation: CONACYT, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), A.P.70228, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico. Electronic address: moreno.sa@biomedicas.unam.mx.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreno-Mendieta
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), A.P.70228, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico. Electronic address: dguillen@biomedicas.unam.mx.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guillén
authors.affiliation: Sección de Patología Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Delegación Tlalpan, Ciudad de México 14000, Mexico. Electronic address: rogelio.hernandezp@quetzal.innsz.mx.
authors.forename: Rogelio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hernández-Pando
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), A.P.70228, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico. Electronic address: sersan@biomedicas.unam.mx.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), A.P.70228, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico. Electronic address: romina@biomedicas.unam.mx.
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Sanoja
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005936:Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D005936:Glucans; D014612:Vaccines; C045788:alpha-1,3-glucan; C040088:1,4-glucan
keywords: Carbohydrate immunology; Carbohydrate-based adjuvants; Immunomodulation; Mucosal vaccination; α-Glucans