Effect of GM-CSF on cytokine induction by soluble beta-glucan SCG in vitro in beta-glucan-treated mice.

SCG is a 6-branched 1,3-beta-D-glucan, which are major cell wall structural components in fungi. Leukocytes from DBA/1 and DBA/2 mice are highly sensitive to SCG, producing cytokines such as GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-12p70, but not IL-6. GM-CSF plays a key biological role in this activity.

Highly expressed dectin-1 on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells regulates the sensitivity to beta-glucan in DBA/2 mice.

Sparassis crispa beta-glucan (SCG) is a major six-branched 1,3-beta-D-glucan in S. crispa Fr. showing antitumor activity.

NMR characterization of the structure of a beta-(1-->3)-D-glucan isolate from cultured fruit bodies of Sparassis crispa.

SCG, a purified beta-d-glucan, obtained from Sparassis crispa, exhibits various biological activities including an antitumor effect, enhancement of the hematopoietic response in cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenic mice, and induction of the production of cytokines. The mechanisms of these effects have been extensively investigated; however, an unambiguous structural characterization of SCG is yet to be achieved. It is well accepted that the biological effects of beta-glucan depend on its primary structures, conformation, and molecular weight.

Soy isoflavone aglycone modulates expression of cell surface antigens in vitro and in vivo.

Soy isoflavone aglycones (IFAs) have a wide range of biological actions. We investigated in this study the effect of IFAs on myeloid cells. The cell surface expression of both CD80 and CD86 was up-regulated by treating myeloid cells with IFAs in vitro and in vivo.

Mechanism of enhanced hematopoietic response by soluble beta-glucan SCG in cyclophosphamide-treated mice.

SCG is a major 6-branched 1,3-beta-D-glucan in Sparassis crispa Fr. SCG shows antitumor activity and also enhances the hematopoietic response in cyclophosphamide (CY)-treated mice. In the present study, the molecular mechanism of the enhancement of the hematopoietic response was investigated.