Opposing roles for complement component C5a in tumor progression and the tumor microenvironment.

Promoting complement (C) activation may enhance immunological mechanisms of anti-tumor Abs for tumor destruction. However, C activation components, such as C5a, trigger inflammation, which can promote tumor growth. We addressed the role of C5a on tumor growth by transfecting both human carcinoma and murine lymphoma with mouse C5a.

Differential pathways regulating innate and adaptive antitumor immune responses by particulate and soluble yeast-derived β-glucans.

β-glucans have been reported to function as a potent adjuvant to stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses. However, β-glucans from different sources are differential in their structure, conformation, and thus biologic activity. Different preparations of β-glucans, soluble versus particulate, further complicate their mechanism of action.

Yeast-derived beta-glucan in combination with anti-tumor monoclonal antibody therapy in cancer.

beta-Glucans are cell wall constituents of many plants and microorganisms. However, beta-glucans are not expressed on mammalian cells and are recognized as pathogen-associated molecular patterns by pattern recognition receptors. beta-Glucans have been used to treat cancer and infectious disease for many years as biological response modifiers with varying and unpredictable efficacy.

Combined yeast-derived beta-glucan with anti-tumor monoclonal antibody for cancer immunotherapy.

Beta-glucan is an immuno-stimulating agent that has been used to treat cancer and infectious disease for many years with varying and unpredictable efficacy. Recent studies have unraveled the action mode of yeast-derived beta-glucan in combination with anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in cancer therapy. It has demonstrated that particulate or large molecular weight soluble beta-glucans are ingested and processed by macrophages.

Identification of interferon-stimulated gene 15 as an antiviral molecule during Sindbis virus infection in vivo.

The innate immune response, and in particular the alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) system, plays a critical role in the control of viral infections. Interferons alpha and beta exert their antiviral effects through the induction of hundreds of interferon-induced (or -stimulated) genes (ISGs). While several of these ISGs have characterized antiviral functions, their actions alone do not explain all of the effects mediated by IFN-alpha/beta.