Beta glucan Helps Cells Get to Infection Site

Researchers have discovered further evidence that beta glucan enhances the ability of certain human immune cells to navigate to the site of a bacterial infection. The findings were reported in the August 2004 issue of Surgery.

Beta Glucan binds to receptors (CR3) on neutrophils, the most abundant type of innate cell in the body, and benefits the host defense in two ways. One is by increased killing capacity of the neutrophils, and the other is migration or chemotaxis to the site of an infection or challenge. The neutrophils are attracted to the site of infection by blood proteins called chemoattractants and are among the first cells to respond to a challenge due to infection or injury.

Priming the neutrophils with beta glucan increases their ability to sense complement fragments emanating from an infection site. As a result, beta glucan helps neutrophils locate the bacterial mother lode within infected tissue. This more-rapid response to infection results in faster microbial clearance and healing.

The research was led by Dr. Jonathan Reichner, Ph.D., an associate professor of surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and associate director of the pathobiology graduate program at Brown University (both in Providence, USA). For the past 15 years, Dr. Reichner has been studying the ability of beta glucan to enhance the immune system to fight infectious diseases. The beta glucan used in the studies was from Biopolymer Engineering, Inc. (Eagan, MN, USA).




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