Comparison of the Immunomodulating Activities of 1,3-β-glucan Fractions from the Culinary-Medicinal Mushroom Sparassis crispa Wulf.:Fr. (Aphyllophoromycetideae)

Contribution of dectin-1 and granulocyte macrophage–colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to immunomodulating actions of β-glucan

“…All these factors play an important role in various kinds of glucan-associated biological activities [2]. The method of preparation of the extract fractions from S. crispa is related to the structural features of these fractions, and the immunomodulating activities in vivo and in vitro are significantly modulated by the method of preparation [14]. In general, in vitro studies have suggested that high MW or particulate β-glucans, such as OX-CA and zymosan, can directly activate leukocytes, inducing macrophages, to produce several mediators, including inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and nitric oxide (NO) [36,37].…”

“…SCG is 6-branched 1,3-β-glucan, with one branch approximately every third main chain unit [11]. SCG and extracts from S. crispa show antitumor activity in tumor bearing mice and cancer patients in combination with lymphocyte transplantation immunotherapy [12][13][14]. SCG enhanced the hematopoietic response in cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenic mice when administered by the intraperitoneal (i.p.)…”

“…The field of glucan research has been confounded by the presence of endotoxin in glucan preparations. Endotoxin was not detected in SCG by determination using endospecy (b30 pg/mg) [14], so SCG has also been used as purified soluble β-glucan in investigations on cellular receptors and molecular mechanisms [20,21].…”

Elicitor-induced β-glucan contents in fruit body of cauliflower mushroom (Sparassis latifolia)

“…The immunomodulating substance, biological response modifier (BRM), and biotherapy, including immunotherapy, are important for the treatment of cancer. Some b-glucans are well-known BRMs; the mushrooms that they are derived from are widely distributed in nature and are used as medicines and food (Harada et al 2006;Matsuoka et al 1997;Wasser 2002). Lentinan from Lentinus edodes and Sonifilan from Schizophyllum commune have been clinically used for cancer therapy in Japan (Fujimoto et al 1983;Harada et al 2006;Taguchi et al 1983).…”

Cytokine induction by a linear 1,3-glucan, curdlan-oligo, in mouse leukocytes in vitro

“…The study of glucans has been confounded by the presence of endotoxin in glucan preparations. No endotoxin was detected in SCG with endospecy (<30 pg/mg) [10]. So SCG is also used as a purified soluble b-glucan in investigations on cellular receptors and molecular mechanisms [11].…”