1,3-β-Glucan affects the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokines by promoting secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro

Abstract

Abstract. 1,3-β-glucan is considered a fungal biomarker and exposure to this agent induces lung inflammation. Previous studies have shown that 1,3-β-glucan affects Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, as typical anti-inflammatory cytokines, suppress the Th1 immune response. To investigate the effects of 1,3-β-glucan on the secretion of cytokines in co-cultured mouse macrophages and lymphocytes in vitro, mice were exposed to 1,3-β-glucan or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) by intratracheal instillation. Following extraction and co-culture of macrophages and lymphocytes, which were treated with or without 1,3-β-glucan in vitro, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of cytokines and real-time reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to investigate the mRNA expression of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) in the cells. We showed that 1,3-β-glucan exposure in vitro decreased the secretion of Th1 cytokines and increased the secretion of Th2 cytokines in the culture media. Furthermore, 1,3-β-glucan exposure in vitro increased the secretion of IL-10 and TGF-β in the culture media. According to these results, 1,3-β-glucan exposure in vitro is suggested to promote the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which may lead to a decrease in the levels of Th1 cytokines and an increase in the levels of Th2 cytokines. 1,3-β-Glucan is suggested to induce regulatory lymphocytes, which partly contributes to an increased secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines in co-cultured mouse macrophages and lymphocytes in vitro.

TSLP production by dendritic cells is modulated by IL‐1β and components of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response

“…Recent reports show that curdlan can inhibit T H 2-cell responses, promoting breast cancer progression [43]; it was also reported to suppress IL-5, IL-13 and surprisingly IL-1β www.eji-journal.eu from lymph nodes during epicutaneous sensitization [44]. Conversely, β-glucan treatment can increase T H 2-cell cytokine secretion from cocultured macrophages and lymphocytes [45] and stimulate production of both proallergic (IL-33, CCL17, CCL22) and inflammatory (IL-1β and CXCL1) mediators during lung exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus, in a dectin-1-dependent manner [46]. Furthermore, in addition to TSLP we have observed that β-glucanstimulated mDCs generate large quantities of CCL22 (data not shown) emphasizing that mDCs can secrete pro-T H 2-cell factors.…”

Effect of β-glucan on serum level of IL-12, hs-CRP and clinical outcomes in Multiple trauma patients: a prospective randomized study

“…[12,13] Some in vitro studies have also supported the beneficial effects of β-glucan on the immune system. [14,15] Studies on humans have shown that the administration of soluble fiber or intravenous β-glucan in trauma patients and in patients with severely acute pancreatitis reduced the infection, length of ICU stay, and septic morbidity. [16][17][18] Unfortunately, most studies have been done in vitro or on animals.…”

Comparison of immunological effects of commercially available β-glucans

“…Glucans are well known to stimulate production and secretion of various cytokines, with a wide range from IL-1, IL-2, and IL-6 to TNFα, and IFNγ [26,27]. In fact, there is only one known glucan without any significant stimulation of cytokine production [28].…”