Biological Effects of β-Glucans on Osteoclastogenesis

Abstract

Although the anti-tumor and anti-infective properties of β-glucans have been well-discussed, their role in bone metabolism has not been reviewed so far. This review discusses the biological effects of β-glucans on bone metabolisms, especially on bone-resorbing osteoclasts, which are differentiated from hematopoietic precursors. Multiple immunoreceptors that can recognize β-glucans were reported to be expressed in osteoclast precursors. Coordinated co-stimulatory signals mediated by these immunoreceptors are important for the regulation of osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling. Curdlan from the bacterium Alcaligenes faecalis negatively regulates osteoclast differentiation in vitro by affecting both the osteoclast precursors and osteoclast-supporting cells. We also showed that laminarin, lichenan, and glucan from baker’s yeast, as well as β-1,3-glucan from Euglema gracilisas, inhibit the osteoclast formation in bone marrow cells. Consistent with these findings, systemic and local administration of β-glucan derived from Aureobasidium pullulans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae suppressed bone resorption in vivo. However, zymosan derived from S. cerevisiae stimulated the bone resorption activity and is widely used to induce arthritis in animal models. Additional research concerning the relationship between the molecular structure of β-glucan and its effect on osteoclastic bone resorption will be beneficial for the development of novel treatment strategies for bone-related diseases.

Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer β-1,3-Glucanoligosaccharide (Ps-GOS) Suppresses RANKL-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation and Function in Pre-Osteoclastic RAW 264.7 Cells by Inhibiting the RANK/NFκB/cFOS/NFATc1 Signalling Pathway

“…These findings suggested that Ps-GOS has a suppressive effect on not only osteoclast multinucleated cell formation but also their bone resorption ability. As demonstrated previously, S. cerevisiae β-glucan may have an inhibitory effect on bone resorption in the in vivo animal models [31].…”

Bioactive Materials for Bone Regeneration: Biomolecules and Delivery Systems

“…β-Glucan, which is part of the S. cerevisiae cell wall, contributed to the downregulation of receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and the upregulation of OPG, which resulted in the inhibition of bone loss in a mouse model. 113 The suppressive activity of β-glucan derived from baker’s yeast against RANKL has also been demonstrated by Hara et al 114 Stimulation of mouse bone marrow cells with S. cerevisiae β-glucan inhibited differentiation from maturing osteoclasts by downregulating the nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATC1), which was caused by the suppression of NF-κB signaling and c-fos expression. 114 β-Glucan can not only inhibit osteoclast activity but also be used as a polymer when designing biocomposites modified with a ceramic phase.…”

“…There is substantial scientific evidence to conclude that polycan, a β-glucan derived from Aureobasidium pullulans , reduces the number of active osteoclasts and inhibits the secretion of pro-osteolytic cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). β-Glucan, which is part of the S. cerevisiae cell wall, contributed to the downregulation of receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and the upregulation of OPG, which resulted in the inhibition of bone loss in a mouse model . The suppressive activity of β-glucan derived from baker’s yeast against RANKL has also been demonstrated by Hara et al Stimulation of mouse bone marrow cells with S. cerevisiae β-glucan inhibited differentiation from maturing osteoclasts by downregulating the nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATC1), which was caused by the suppression of NF-κB signaling and c-fos expression .…”

“…An example of a linear bacterial (1 → 3) β-glucan that has aroused interest in the design of new biocomposites for targeted bone tissue regeneration is Curdlan, which is produced by Alcaligenes faecalis . Curdlan limited osteoclast differentiation by suppressing NFATC1 activation via downregulation of the Syk kinase signaling pathway, which is responsible for osteoclast differentiation, maturation, and bone lytic activity. , Curdlan can be modified to make highly elastic and biocompatible hydrogels or biocomposites. Curdlan/whey protein isolate/hydroxyapatite biomaterials showed a high cytocompatibility level and promoted OC production in an in vitro model of human osteoblasts .…”

Review on applications of Pullulan in bone tissue engineering: Blends and composites with natural and synthetic polymers

“…In this work, composite membranes made of βg-PUL and PUL were built using βg and PUL, while glucan served as a plasticizer. 86 The resulting films’ properties and principles were expressed in the creation of βg-PUL composite films.…”