epiglucan and Hypersensitivity

Beta-glucans are polysaccharides that exhibit a wide range of biological properties as a result of their varying chemical composition. Like all dietary fibers, they avoid catabolism in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and they reach the large intestine undigested. There, they undergo fermentation by the gut microbiota, a process that has potential beneficial effects for the host. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effects of consumption of beta-(1 → 3,1 → 6)-d-glucans, naturally found in the cell walls of fungi, on health outcomes.. A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science to retrieve studies that applied randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the impact of exclusive oral administration of fungal beta-glucans in any form and at any dosage to healthy subjects or patients.. Thirty-four RCTs, of the 917 records retrieved in total, met the eligibility criteria and are included in the present review. The sources of fungal beta-glucans were Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aureobasidium pullulans, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lentinula edodes and Ganoderma lucidum, and the dosage of supplementation ranged from 2.5 to 1000 mg daily for up to 6.5 months. The primary physiological outcome of the majority of the interventions was immunomodulation, which resulted in (a) strengthened immune defense that reduces the incidence and symptoms of cold, flu and other respiratory infections and (b) improvement of allergic symptoms. However, the findings on the induction of immune response alterations were inconsistent at the cellular and molecular levels. Another aspect is psychological wellbeing, as the cohorts that received the polysaccharides of interest reported improvement in their mood states as well as amelioration of overall wellbeing. At the same time, it might also be useful as a complementary agent to patients undergoing cancer therapies. Furthermore, supplements containing beta-(1 → 3,1 → 6)-d-glucan administered to overweight/obese adults might have the potential to decrease comorbid conditions associated with obesity. Notably, no adverse event causally related to glucans was recorded.. Supplementation with beta-(1 → 3,1 → 6)-d-glucans is well-tolerated, and health-promoting properties are manifested primarily through the potentiation of the immune system. More studies are required to confirm their additional beneficial effects, to establish the optimal dose, and to reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascomycota; Basidiomycota; beta-Glucans; Dietary Supplements; Female; Fermentation; Fungi; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Health Status; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Male; Middle Aged; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

In this review, we examine house dust and its effect on inhabitants' health. Residential house dust includes components from plants, pollens, microorganisms, insects, skin flakes, hairs and fibers. It also includes materials contaminated with chemicals from combustion, furniture, interior materials, electronics, cleaning agents, personal care products. Nowadays, most people spend their time indoors. Thus, dust is an important medium of exposure to pollutions. According to United States Environmental Protection Agency Exposure Factors Handbook, the estimated amount of dust ingestion is 30 mg/day for adults, and 60 mg/day for children over 1 year of age. Since 2003, we have been conducting epidemiological studies to find the association between the indoor environment and the inhabitants' health. The levels of mite allergens, endotoxins, and β-1,3-d-glucan in house dust were measured as biological factors. Semi volatile organic compounds (SVOC) such as phthalates and phosphate flame retardants (PFRs) in dust were also analyzed. As a result, we found that the ORs (95%CI) of nasal and optical symptoms of sick building syndrome (SBS) were 1.45 (1.01-2.10) and 1.47 (1.14-1.88), respectively, when there was a 10-fold increase in the levels of mite allergens. There was no association of mite allergens with allergies. Endotoxins and β-1,3-d-glucan did not show any association with SBS. Regarding SVOC, increased levels of phthalates and PFR increased the risk of allergies. The association between phthalates and increased risk of allergies was clearer among children than adults. There were no gold standards of dust sampling and pretreatment methods. Thus, caution is needed when comparing findings of various studies. Methods should accurately reflect exposure levels.

Topics: Adult; Air Pollution, Indoor; Animals; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; beta-Glucans; Child; Dust; Endotoxins; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Proteoglycans; Sick Building Syndrome; Volatile Organic Compounds

The prevalence of allergies is increasing since mid twentieth century; however the underlying causes of this increase are not fully clear. Understanding the mechanism by which a harmless protein becomes an allergen provides us with the basis to prevent and treat these diseases. Although most studies on allergen immunogenicity have traditionally focused on structural properties of the proteins, it is increasingly clear that allergenicity cannot be determined only based on structural features of the allergenic proteins. In fact, allergens do not encounter human facings as isolated molecules but contained in complex mixtures of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, such as pollen grains or foods. As a result, attention has lately been directed to examine whether allergen-associated molecules exhibit immune-regulatory properties. The present review aims to illustrate some examples of how non-protein molecules accompanying the allergen can modulate allergic responses.

Topics: Allergens; Animals; Antigens, Plant; beta-Glucans; Carbohydrates; Chitin; Glycoproteins; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immune System; Inflammation; Ligands; Lipids; Lipopolysaccharides; Plant Proteins; Pollen; Polysaccharides; Prevalence; Th1 Cells; Th2 Cells; Treatment Outcome

The importance of a properly functioning and well-balanced immune system for maintaining health has become strikingly evident over the past decades. Roughly since World War II, there has been an apparent decrease in the prevalence of "traditional" infectious diseases, with a concomitant increase in immune-related disorders, such as allergies. Causally, a relationship with changes in life-style-related factors such as the increasing use of hygienic practices seems likely. Diet and nutrition can affect the functioning of various immune parameters. This concept can be utilised in attempts to prevent or mitigate allergic reactions via the development of targeted food products or ingredients. This review describes recent findings with respect to food products and ingredients that show potential in this respect, with special emphasis on pro- and prebiotics, beta-glucans and fungal immunomodulatory proteins. What all of these approaches have in common is that they appear to strengthen Th1-mediated immunity, thus possibly restoring defective immune maturation due to overly hygienic living conditions: a little bit of dirt does not seem bad!

Topics: beta-Glucans; Food; Fungi; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunologic Factors; Probiotics; Th1 Cells

(1-->3)-beta-D-glucan is a polyglucose structure in the cell wall of moulds, some bacteria and plants. Due to its unique (1-->3)-beta linkage it binds to specific receptors on phagocytosing cells and induces changes in their metabolism. Under realistic environmental concentrations, available data suggest that these changes express themselves as alterations of the defense mechanisms to other agents. Inhalation of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan in humans causes symptoms from the upper respiratory tract and induction of cytokines in blood monocytes. (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan can be used as a marker of mould biomass in field studies. Relationships between the amount of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan and the extent of symptoms as well as lung function changes and inflammatory markers have been described. In view of the mechanisms involved in the normal development of the immune system, children seem to be a particular group at risk due to (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure.

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Animals; Asthma; beta-Glucans; Glucans; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunity

Nutrients such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), prebiotics and β-glucan have been associated with reduced incidence of respiratory illnesses and allergic manifestations (AM). Our objective was to assess if consumption of a cow's milk-based beverage with these and other nutrients supports respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin health in otherwise well-nourished, healthy children.. In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, healthy children (1-4 years of age) from two daycare centers in Brazil were fed three servings/day of a cow's milk-based beverage (CMBB; n = 125) containing DHA, the prebiotics polydextrose (PDX) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), β-glucan, and other key nutrients, or a control cow's milk-based beverage (control; n = 131) for up to 28 weeks. Occurrence of respiratory infections, diarrheal disease and AM was assessed by study pediatricians and the number of episodes were analyzed with the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test and the Andersen-Gill model.. The CMBB group had fewer episodes of AM, which included allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis, wheezing, allergic cough, eczema and urticaria, compared to the control group (p = 0.021). The hazard ratio for increased number of episodes of AM was lower in the CMBB group compared to control (HR, 0.64; 95 % CI 0.47-0.89; p = 0.007). There was no difference in the incidence of respiratory infections and diarrheal disease between groups.. A cow's milk-based beverage containing DHA, PDX/GOS, and yeast β-glucan, and supplemented with micronutrients, including zinc, vitamin A and iron, when consumed 3 times/day for 28 weeks by healthy 1- to 4-year-old children was associated with fewer episodes of allergic manifestations in the skin and the respiratory tract.. registration number: NCT01431469.

Topics: Animals; beta-Glucans; Beverages; Biomarkers; Brazil; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Dietary Supplements; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Incidence; Infant; Interleukin-10; Male; Micronutrients; Milk; Prebiotics; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections; Socioeconomic Factors; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Treatment Outcome; Trisaccharides

The epithelium-associated cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) can induce OX40L and CCL17 expression by myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), which contributes to aberrant Th2-type immune responses. Herein, we report that such TSLP-induced Th2-type immune response can be effectively controlled by Dectin-1, a C-type lectin receptor expressed by mDCs. Dectin-1 stimulation induced STAT3 activation and decreased the transcriptional activity of p50-RelB, both of which resulted in reduced OX40L expression on TSLP-activated mDCs. Dectin-1 stimulation also suppressed TSLP-induced STAT6 activation, resulting in decreased expression of the Th2 chemoattractant CCL17. We further demonstrated that Dectin-1 activation was capable of suppressing ragweed allergen (Amb a 1)-specific Th2-type T cell response in allergy patients

Topics: Adult; Allergens; Animals; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; Antigens, Plant; beta-Glucans; Case-Control Studies; Cytokines; Dendritic Cells; Dermatophagoides farinae; Disease Models, Animal; Female; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunity; Lectins, C-Type; Macaca mulatta; Male; Middle Aged; NF-kappa B p50 Subunit; OX40 Ligand; Plant Proteins; Signal Transduction; STAT3 Transcription Factor; STAT6 Transcription Factor; Th2 Cells; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin; Transcription Factor RelB

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) produced by epithelial cells acts on dendritic cells (DCs) to drive differentiation of TH 2-cells, and is therefore important in allergic disease pathogenesis. However, DCs themselves make significant amounts of TSLP in response to microbial products, but little is known about the key downstream signals that induce and modulate this TSLP secretion from human DCs. We show that human monocyte derived DC (mDC) secretion of TSLP in response to Candida albicans and β-glucans requires dectin-1, Syk, NF-κB, and p38 MAPK signaling. In addition, TSLP production by mDCs is greatly enhanced by IL-1β, but not TNF-α, in contrast to epithelial cells. Furthermore, TSLP secretion is significantly increased by signals emanating from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, specifically the unfolded protein response sensors, inositol-requiring transmembrane kinase/endonuclease 1 and protein kinase R-like ER kinase, which are activated by dectin-1 stimulation. Thus, TSLP production by mDCs requires the integration of signals from dectin-1, the IL-1 receptor, and ER stress signaling pathways. Autocrine TSLP production is likely to play a role in mDC-controlled immune responses at sites removed from epithelial cell production of the cytokine, such as lymphoid tissue.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, Fungal; Candida albicans; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Cytokines; Dendritic Cells; eIF-2 Kinase; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Glucans; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Interleukin-1beta; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Monocytes; Receptor Cross-Talk; Receptors, Interleukin-1; Th2 Cells; Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin; Transcription Factor CHOP; Unfolded Protein Response; Up-Regulation

Inverse associations have been found between exposure to bio-contaminants and asthma and allergies. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess whether early exposure to bio-contaminants in dust is associated with asthma and allergy later in childhood among children from (sub)-urban areas. In subsets of three European birth cohorts (PIAMA: n=553; INMA: n=481; and LISAplus: n=395), endotoxin, (1,3,)-β-d-glucan and extracellular polysaccharide were measured in dust from living rooms shortly after birth. Current asthma at 6 years and 10 years of age and ever asthma up to 10 years of age were assessed by parental questionnaires. Specific IgE levels at 8 years (PIAMA) and 10 years (LISAplus) were available. Adjusted, cohort-specific logistic regression analyses were performed. Higher endotoxin concentrations were positively associated with current asthma at 6 years of age in PIAMA (adjusted OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.07-3.58), but were inversely related with ever asthma up to 10 years of age in INMA (adjusted OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16-0.94). No associations with asthma were found for LISAplus. No associations were observed with atopic sensitisation in all cohorts. All associations with (1,3)-β-d-glucan and extracellular polysaccharide were statistically nonsignificant. The suggested immunological mechanisms of early exposure to bio-contaminants with regards to asthma and allergy might be different for children growing up in (sub)-urban environments.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Allergens; Asthma; beta-Glucans; Child; Dust; Endotoxins; Environmental Exposure; Europe; Female; Geography; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immunoglobulin E; Infant, Newborn; Logistic Models; Male; Polysaccharides; Prospective Studies; Proteoglycans; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urban Population

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a pulmonary collectin important in lung immunity. SP-D-deficient mice (Sftpd(-/-)) are reported to be susceptible to ovalbumin (OVA)- and fungal allergen-induced pulmonary inflammation, while treatment with exogenous SP-D has therapeutic effects in such disease models. β-Glucans are a diverse group of polysaccharides previously suggested to serve as fungal ligands for SP-D. We set out to investigate if SP-D could interact with 1,3-β-glucan and attenuate allergic pulmonary inflammation in the presence of 1,3-β-glucan. Allergic airway disease was induced in Sftpd(-/-) and Sftpd(+/+) mice by OVA sensitization and subsequent challenge with OVA, 1,3-β-glucan, or OVA/1,3-β-glucan together. Mice in the combined treatment group were further treated with a high dose of recombinant fragment of human SP-D (rfhSP-D). We demonstrated direct interaction between SP-D and 1,3-β-glucan. OVA-induced mucous cell metaplasia was increased in Sftpd(-/-) mice, supporting previously reported protective effects of endogenous SP-D in allergy. OVA-induced parenchymal CCL11 levels and eosinophilic infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage were unaffected by 1,3-β-glucan, but were reversed with rfhSP-D treatment. 1,3-β-Glucan treatment did, however, induce pulmonary neutrophilic infiltration and increased TNF-α levels in bronchoalveolar lavage, independently of OVA-induced allergy. This infiltration was also reversed by treatment with rfhSP-D. 1,3-β-Glucan reduced OVA-induced mucous cell metaplasia, T helper 2 cytokines, and IFN-γ production. rfhSP-D treatment further reduced mucous metaplasia and T helper 2 cytokine secretion to background levels. In summary, rfhSP-D treatment resulted in attenuation of both allergic inflammation and 1,3-β-glucan-mediated neutrophilic inflammation. Our data suggest that treatment with high-dose SP-D protects from mold-induced exacerbations of allergic asthma.

Topics: Animals; beta-Glucans; Chemokine CCL11; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Inflammation; Ligands; Metaplasia; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microbiota; Ovalbumin; Protective Agents; Proteoglycans; Pulmonary Alveoli; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein D; Respiratory Hypersensitivity

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are 2 entities of allergic airway diseases that frequently occur together, which is referred to as united airways. In contrast to this general concept, we hypothesized that innate immunity of the upper and lower airways is respectively distinctive, because the immunologic conditions of the nasal and lung mucosa as well as the functions of the immune cells within their epithelia are different.. We wanted to identify distinctive mechanisms of innate immunity in the nose and lung mucosa, which are responsible for house dust mite (HDM)-induced AR and allergic asthma (AA), respectively.. We constructed a mouse model of AR or AA induced by sensitization and consequent provocation with HDM extracts.. HDM-derived β-glucans, rather than LPS, were proven to be essential to activating innate immunity in the nasal mucosa and triggering AR, which depended on Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), but not on TLR4; however, the LPS/TLR4 signaling axis, rather than β-glucans/TLR2, was critical to HDM-induced AA. These differences were attributed to the specific role of β-glucans and LPS in inducing the surface expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and their translocation to lipid rafts in nasal and bronchial epithelial cells, respectively. We also showed that dual oxidase 2-generated reactive oxygen species mediate both β-glucan-induced TLR2 activation and LPS-induced TLR4 activation.. We describe a novel finding of distinctive innate immunity of the nose and lungs, respectively, which trigger AR and AA, by showing the critical role of HDM-induced TLR activation via dual oxidase 2-mediated reactive oxygen species.

Topics: Animals; Asthma; beta-Glucans; Dual Oxidases; Epithelial Cells; Hypersensitivity; Immunity, Innate; Lipopolysaccharides; Lung; Mice; NADPH Oxidases; Nasal Mucosa; Pyroglyphidae; Reactive Oxygen Species; Respiratory Mucosa; Respiratory System; Rhinitis, Allergic; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Toll-Like Receptor 4

Atopic patients are advised to cover their mattresses with occlusive coverings; however, these are not cheap. We investigated whether daily vacuum cleaning of mattresses significantly reduces content of house dust mite allergens, bacterial endotoxin, and fungal β-glucan.. Twenty volunteers vacuumed their mattress daily for 8 weeks. Dust samples collected at two weekly intervals were analyzed for house dust mite allergens (Der p 1 and Der f 1) by double monoclonal antibody ELISA and for endotoxin and β-glucan by the Limulus amoebocyte lysate kinetic assay. Results are presented as geometric means with 95% confidence interval (CI).. Total house dust mite allergens (Der p 1 + Der f 1) significantly reduced from a geometric mean (95% CI) of 4.07 μg (2.44-6.79) at the start to 0.42 μg (0.21-0.81) at week 8. Total endotoxin and β-glucan were also significantly reduced from 13.6 EU (8.6-21.4) to 3.4 EU (2.3-5.0) and from 94.4 μg (57.1-156.2) to 19.7 μg (10.2-37.9), respectively (p for trend >.0001). Percentage reductions in total house dust mite allergens, endotoxin, and β-glucan after 8 weeks of daily vacuum cleaning were 85.1% (80.1-90.1), 71.0% (70.4-81.0), and 75.7% (70.4-81.0), respectively. This was mainly due to a 77.7% (70.8-84.7) reduction in total dust.. Daily vacuum cleaning of mattresses over time significantly reduces house dust mite allergens, endotoxin, and β-glucan. This gives atopic patients a practical and cheaper alternative to reduce their exposure to indoor house dust mite allergens and microbial bio-contaminants.

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; Beds; beta-Glucans; Endotoxins; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Vacuum

Thirty-six volunteers (in three susceptibility groups: 11 subjects were non-allergic with nasal histamine hypersensitivity, 13 were non-allergic with normal sensitivity, and 12 were pollen allergic with or without nasal hypersensitivity) were exposed for three and a half hours in a climate chamber. Each subject was exposed to clean air (dust 45 +/- 38 microg/m(3) total suspended particle, TSP), house dust at 357 +/- 180 microg/m(3) TSP, house dust 382 +/- 175 microg/m(3) TSP with added glucan (50 ng/m(3)) and house dust 394 +/- 168 microg/m(3) TSP with added aldehydes corresponding to a gaseous phase of 300 microg/m(3) in the air. The study was explorative by nature. No significant effects of exposures as such were seen on break-up time, conjunctival epithelial damage score and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) in tear film and subjective ratings. However, in TEAC a significant different time course was seen during exposures to aldehyde-containing dust indicating a subacute and late response to the exposures. Perceived eye irritation increased significantly during exposures to normal dust. The perception ratings were highly correlated, whereas no correlation was found between the subjective responses and the objective measurements.. The findings indicate that measurement effects on the eyes are rather insensitive measures of short time effects of office dust exposures.

Topics: Air Pollutants, Occupational; Aldehydes; beta-Glucans; Dust; Eye Diseases; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Proteoglycans

It has been suggested that early childhood exposure to microbial agents decreases the risk of allergies in children. The current authors studied the association between microbial agents in house dust and allergic sensitisation in children aged 2-4 yrs. Nested case-control studies were performed within ongoing birth cohort studies in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden and approximately 180 sensitised and 180 nonsensitised children were selected per country. Levels of bacterial endotoxin, beta(1,3)-glucans and fungal extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) were measured in dust samples from the children's mattresses and the living-room floors. Combined across countries, higher amounts of mattress dust and higher mattress dust loads of endotoxin, beta(1,3)-glucans and EPS were associated with a significantly decreased risk of sensitisation to inhalant allergens. After mutual adjustment, only the protective effect of the amount of mattress dust remained significant (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.57(0.39-0.84)). Higher amounts of mattress dust may decrease the risk of allergic sensitisation to inhalant allergens. The effect might be partly attributable to endotoxin, beta(1,3)-glucans and extracellular polysaccharides, but could also reflect (additional) protective effects of (microbial) agents other than the ones measured. It is not possible to distinguish with certainty which component relates to the effect, since their levels are highly correlated.

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Allergens; Animals; Bacteria; beta-Glucans; Case-Control Studies; Child; Cohort Studies; Dust; Endotoxins; Female; Fungi; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Male

There have been a number of reports showing that the crude beta-glucan fraction prepared from various kinds of Basidiomycetes mushrooms acts as anti-cancer and anti-allergic reagent through stimulation of IFN-gamma production. It has been reported, however, that the exposure of the airway to beta-(1,3) d-glucan, contained in house dust, indoor moulds and some bacteria, potentiates the airway allergic response. It seems likely that the discrepant effects on immune function may be related to such factors as differences of the administration route, average molecular weight and water solubility. We isolated a new low-molecular-weight (about 100 kDa) beta-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans 1A1 strain of black yeast, and found that it had low viscosity and was water-soluble. In this study, we examined the effects of water-soluble low-molecular-weight beta-(1-->3) and 50-80% branched beta-(1-->6) glucan (LMW-beta-Glucan) isolated from A. pullulans on the ova-albumin (OVA)-treated allergic reaction in mice. Feeding standard laboratory diets containing 0.5 and 1% LMW-beta-Glucan significantly inhibited the OVA-specific IgE elevation compared to that in OVA-sensitized mice fed standard laboratory diet alone (control). Furthermore, feeding standard laboratory diets containing 0.5 and 1% LMW-beta-Glucan inhibited the reduction of IL-12 and IFN-gamma production from splenocytes and the reduction of CD8- and IFN-gamma-positive cell number in the small intestine of the OVA-sensitized mice. These findings suggest that anti-food allergic action of LMW-beta-Glucan may be due to the inducing IFN-gamma production in the small intestine and splenocytes.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Basidiomycota; Carbohydrate Sequence; Cytokines; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Down-Regulation; Food Hypersensitivity; Glucans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Immunologic Factors; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Molecular Weight; Ovalbumin; Solubility; Spleen; Water

Exposure to moulds in indoor air is thought to induce asthma in susceptible persons. Moulds may contain several potent allergens. However, more importantly, moulds may increase the allergic response to other allergens (adjuvant effect). Previously, we have found that a beta-1,3-glucan from the cell wall of the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum increases the allergic response to the model allergen ovalbumin (OVA) in a mouse model.. In the present study, we wanted to confirm the adjuvant effect of another beta-1,3-glucan, MacroGard (MG) from baker's yeast in this model. More importantly, we wished to explore the putative effects of extracts from the moulds Cladosporium herbarum (CH) and Penicillium chrysogenum (PC) using the very same model as used to explore effects of beta-glucans.. Groups of eight Balb/c mice were injected with OVA alone, OVA+extract or OVA+MG, into one footpad. On day 21, all mice were reinjected with OVA, before exsanguination on day 26. The levels of OVA-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a in serum were measured by ELISA.. Compared with OVA alone, OVA+MG, OVA+CH extract and OVA+PC extract increased OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 levels significantly. For all groups, the levels of IgG2a anti-OVA remained similar to those of the OVA-alone group.. Our results show that extracts from CH and PC, and the beta-1,3/1,6-glucan from baker's yeast have adjuvant effects on the allergic response in mice.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; beta-Glucans; Biological Factors; Cladosporium; Endotoxins; Female; Fungal Proteins; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Lymph Nodes; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Ovalbumin; Penicillium chrysogenum; Saccharomyces cerevisiae