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Rajabi A, Nejati M, Homayoonfal M, Arj A, Razavi ZS, Ostadian A, Mohammadzadeh B, Vosough M, Karimi M, Rahimian N, Hamblin MR, Anoushirvani AA, Mirzaei H. Doxorubicin-loaded zymosan nanoparticles: Synergistic cytotoxicity and modulation of apoptosis and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in C26 colorectal cancer cells. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:128949. [PMID: 38143055 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Zymosan is a β-glucan isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that could be employed for drug delivery. We synthesized zymosan nanoparticles and measured their structural and morphological properties using XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM and AFM. The loading of doxorubicin (DOX) onto the nanoparticles was confirmed by FT-IR, and the DOX release was shown to be pH-dependent. The effect of these agents on C26 cell viability was evaluated by MTT tests and the expression of genes connected with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and apoptosis were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Treatments were able to suppress the proliferation of C26 cells, and the zymosan nanocarriers loaded with DOX enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of DOX in a synergistic manner. Zymosan nanoparticles were able to suppress the expression of cyclin D1, VEGF, ZEB1, and Twist mRNAs. Treatment groups upregulated the expression of caspase-8, while reducing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, thus promoting apoptosis. In conclusion, zymosan nanoparticles as DOX nanocarriers could provide a more targeted drug delivery through pH-responsiveness, and showed synergistic cytotoxicity by modifying Wnt/β-catenin signaling and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Rajabi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Majid Nejati
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mina Homayoonfal
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Abbas Arj
- Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Zahra Sadat Razavi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran; Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Amirreza Ostadian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | | | - Massoud Vosough
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Merat Karimi
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.
| | - Neda Rahimian
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
| | - Ali Arash Anoushirvani
- Endocrine Research Center, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
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Liu N, Zou S, Xie C, Meng Y, Xu X. Effect of the β-glucan from Lentinus edodes on colitis-associated colorectal cancer and gut microbiota. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 316:121069. [PMID: 37321711 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, and therapies with safety are in great need. In this study, the β-glucan isolated from Lentinus edodes was successfully fractionated into three fractions with different weight-average molecular weight (Mw) by ultrasonic degradation and used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. In our findings, the β-glucan was successfully degraded with the Mw decreased from 2.56 × 106 Da to 1.41 × 106 Da, exhibiting the triple helix structure without conformation disruption. The in vitro results indicate that β-glucan fractions inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation, induced colon cancer cell apoptosis, and reduced inflammation. The in vivo results based on Azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) mouse model demonstrate that the lower-molecular weight β-glucan fraction showed stronger anti-inflammatory and anti-colon cancer activities by reconstructing intestinal mucosal barrier, increasing short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content, regulating metabolism of gut microbiota, and rebuilding the gut microbiota structure with the increased Bacteroides and the decreased Proteobacteria at the phylum level, as well as with the decreased Helicobacter and the increased Muribaculum at the genus level. These findings provide scientific basis for using the β-glucan to regulate gut microbiota as an alternative strategy in the clinical treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningyue Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Siwei Zou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Conghua Xie
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yan Meng
- College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Xiaojuan Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Mishra V, Tripathi V, Yadav P, Singh MP. Beta glucan as an immune stimulant in tumor microenvironment - Insight into lessons and promises from past decade. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 234:123617. [PMID: 36758755 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is characterized by a perturbed immune landscape. Inside tumor microenvironment, immune system is reprogrammed to facilitate tumor growth and survival rather than eliminating it. This immune evasive mechanism needs to be reversed to normal for effective anticancer therapeutic strategy. Immunotherapy has emerged as a novel strategy for redeployment of immune cells against cancer. However, they suffer in their efficacy, response rate and side effects. This necessitated us to turn toward natural repertoires which can act as a substitute to conventional immunotherapeutics. Beta glucan, a polysaccharide derived from mushroom, serves the role of immunomodulator inside tumor microenvironment. It acts as pathogen associated molecular pattern and bind to various pattern recognition receptors expressed on surface of immune cells thereby facilitating their activation and crosstalk. This result in resurgence of suppressed immune surveillance in the tumor milieu. In this review, we highlight in brief the advances and limitation of cancer immunotherapy. Alongside, we have discussed the detailed mechanistic principle and recent advances underlying restoration of immune functionality by beta glucan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vartika Mishra
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | | | - Priyanka Yadav
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - M P Singh
- Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, India.
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Woeste MR, Shrestha R, Geller AE, Li S, Montoya-Durango D, Ding C, Hu X, Li H, Puckett A, Mitchell RA, Hayat T, Tan M, Li Y, McMasters KM, Martin RCG, Yan J. Irreversible electroporation augments β-glucan induced trained innate immunity for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:e006221. [PMID: 37072351 PMCID: PMC10124260 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-006221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a challenging diagnosis that is yet to benefit from the advancements in immuno-oncologic treatments. Irreversible electroporation (IRE), a non-thermal method of tumor ablation, is used in treatment of select patients with locally-advanced unresectable PC and has potentiated the effect of certain immunotherapies. Yeast-derived particulate β-glucan induces trained innate immunity and successfully reduces murine PC tumor burden. This study tests the hypothesis that IRE may augment β-glucan induced trained immunity in the treatment of PC. METHODS β-Glucan-trained pancreatic myeloid cells were evaluated ex vivo for trained responses and antitumor function after exposure to ablated and unablated tumor-conditioned media. β-Glucan and IRE combination therapy was tested in an orthotopic murine PC model in wild-type and Rag-/- mice. Tumor immune phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. Effect of oral β-glucan in the murine pancreas was evaluated and used in combination with IRE to treat PC. The peripheral blood of patients with PC taking oral β-glucan after IRE was evaluated by mass cytometry. RESULTS IRE-ablated tumor cells elicited a potent trained response ex vivo and augmented antitumor functionality. In vivo, β-glucan in combination with IRE reduced local and distant tumor burden prolonging survival in a murine orthotopic PC model. This combination augmented immune cell infiltration to the PC tumor microenvironment and potentiated the trained response from tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells. The antitumor effect of this dual therapy occurred independent of the adaptive immune response. Further, orally administered β-glucan was identified as an alternative route to induce trained immunity in the murine pancreas and prolonged PC survival in combination with IRE. β-Glucan in vitro treatment also induced trained immunity in peripheral blood monocytes obtained from patients with treatment-naïve PC. Finally, orally administered β-glucan was found to significantly alter the innate cell landscape within the peripheral blood of five patients with stage III locally-advanced PC who had undergone IRE. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight a relevant and novel application of trained immunity within the setting of surgical ablation that may stand to benefit patients with PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Woeste
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Rejeena Shrestha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Anne E Geller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Shu Li
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Diego Montoya-Durango
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Chuanlin Ding
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Xiaoling Hu
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Hong Li
- Functional Immunomics Core, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Aaron Puckett
- Functional Immunomics Core, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Robert A Mitchell
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Traci Hayat
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Min Tan
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Kelly M McMasters
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Robert C G Martin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jun Yan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Division of Immunotherapy, The Hiram C. Polk Jr., MD Department of Surgery, Immuno-Oncology Program, Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Wan Y, Xu X, Gilbert RG, Sullivan MA. A Review on the Structure and Anti-Diabetic (Type 2) Functions of β-Glucans. Foods 2021; 11:57. [PMID: 35010185 PMCID: PMC8750484 DOI: 10.3390/foods11010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes, a long-term chronic metabolic disease, causes severe and increasing economic and health problems globally. There is growing evidence that β-glucans can function as bioactive macromolecules that help control type 2 diabetes with minimal side effects. However, conflicting conclusions about the antidiabetic activities of β-glucans have been published, potentially resulting from incomplete understanding of their precise structural characteristics. This review aims to increase clarity on the structure-function relationships of β-glucans in treating type 2 diabetes by examining detailed structural and conformational features of naturally derived β-glucans, as well as both chemical and instrumental methods used in their characterization, and their underlying anti-diabetic mechanisms. This may help to uncover additional structure and function relationships and to expand applications of β-glucans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Wan
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Xiaojuan Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China;
| | - Robert G. Gilbert
- Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Mitchell A. Sullivan
- Glycation and Diabetes Group, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Cai L, Zhou S, Wang Y, Xu X, Zhang L, Cai Z. New insights into the anti- hepatoma mechanism of triple-helix β- glucan by metabolomics profiling. Carbohydr Polym 2021; 269:118289. [PMID: 34294315 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Natural polysaccharide as the third abundant biomacromolecule has attracted considerable attentions due to their superior anti-tumor activities. However, the anti-tumor mechanism of polysaccharides has not been completely understood. Herein, the anti-tumor effects of black fungus polysaccharide (BFP), a typical β-glucan was comprehensively investigated, and the anti-tumor mechanism was obtained from metabolomics profiling. The in vitro results demonstrate that BFP inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatoma carcinoma cells (HCC) through inducing the cell apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle at S phase without direct cytotoxicity. The hepatoma-bearing nude mice experiments further demonstrate that BFP could significantly inhibit the growth without system toxicity in vivo. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics unveils that BFP significantly disturbed the multiple metabolic pathways, leading to the inhibition of tumor cells proliferation by promoting DNA damage, attenuating DNA damage repair, and inhibiting DNA synthesis. This study provides new insights for pharmacological research and clinical practice of polysaccharides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqin Cai
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shujun Zhou
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yanfeng Wang
- Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiaojuan Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China; Hubei Engineering Center of Natural Polymers-based Medical Materials, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Lina Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
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β-Glucan: A dual regulator of apoptosis and cell proliferation. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 182:1229-1237. [PMID: 33991557 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
β-Glucans are polysaccharides generally obtained from the cell wall of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and aleurone layer of cereals. β-Glucans are polymers, with β-1,3 glucose as core linear structure, but they differ in their main branch length, linkages and branching patterns, giving rise to high and low-molecular-weight β-glucans. They are well-known cell response modifiers with immune-modulating, nutraceutical and health beneficial effects, including anticancer and pro-apoptotic properties. β-Glucan extracts have shown positive responses in controlling tumor cell proliferation and activation of the immune system. The immunomodulatory action of β-glucans enhances the host's antitumor defense against cancer. In consonance with the above, many studies have shown that β-glucan treatment leads to the induction of apoptotic death of cancer cells. The ability of β-glucans to stimulate apoptotic pathways or the proteins involved in apoptosis prompting a new domain in cancer therapy. β-glucan can be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer. However, there is a need to legitimize the β-glucan type, as most of the studies include β-glucan from different sources having different physicochemical properties. The body of literature presented here focuses on the effects of β-glucan on immunomodulation, proliferation, cell death and the possible mechanisms and pathways involved in these processes.
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Antitumor effect of soluble β-glucan as an immune stimulant. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 179:116-124. [PMID: 33667560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
β-glucans are linear polysaccharides of d-glucose monomers linked through β-glycosidic bonds and are widely present in nature. Different sources lead to their structural differences. β-glucan has long been acknowledged to be a safe and functional component. Its biological activities include lipid-lowering, hypoglycemic, antitumor and immune regulation etc. A large number of studies have shown that soluble β-glucan can bind to their receptors on the surface of immune cells, activates the pro-inflammatory response of innate immune cells, and enhances the host's antitumor defense. A variety of soluble β-glucans have been widely used in clinical antitumor studies as an immunostimulant to treat the cancer patient. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular structure, antitumor immune activities, structure-activity relationship and clinical trials of soluble β-glucans in order to provide the overall scene of β-glucans as immunostimulant to fight the cancer.
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Meng Y, Lyu F, Xu X, Zhang L. Recent Advances in Chain Conformation and Bioactivities of Triple-Helix Polysaccharides. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:1653-1677. [PMID: 31986015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Natural polysaccharides derived from renewable biomass sources are regarded as environmentally friendly and sustainable polymers. As the third most abundant biomacromolecule in nature, after proteins and nucleic acids, polysaccharides are also closely related with many different life activities. In particular, β-glucans are one of the most widely reported bioactive polysaccharides and are usually considered as biological response modifiers. Among them, β-glucans with triple-helix conformation have been the hottest and most well-researched polysaccharides at present, especially lentinan and schizophyllan, which are clinically used as cancer therapies in some Asian countries. Thus, creation of these active triple-helix polysaccharides is beneficial to the research and development of sustainable "green" biopolymers in the fields of food and life sciences. Therefore, full fundamental research of triple-helix polysaccharides is essential to discover more applications for polysaccharides. In this Review, the recent research progress of chain conformations, bioactivities, and structure-function relationships of triple-helix β-glucans is summarized. The main contents include the characterization methods of the macromolecular conformation, proof of triple helices, bioactivities, and structure-function relationships. We believe that the governments, enterprises, universities, and institutes dealing with the survival and health of human beings can expect the development of natural bioproducts in the future. Hence, a deep understanding of β-glucans with triple-helix chain conformation is necessary for application of natural medicines and biologics for a sustainable world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Meng
- College of Chemistry & Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.,College of Pharmacy, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Fengzhi Lyu
- College of Chemistry & Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiaojuan Xu
- College of Chemistry & Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lina Zhang
- College of Chemistry & Molecule Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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Lyu F, Xu X, Zhang L. Natural polysaccharides with different conformations: extraction, structure and anti-tumor activity. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:9652-9667. [DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01713b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural polysaccharides as sustainable polymers are rich sources with good biological safety and various biological functions, which are important research topics in the fields of food and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengzhi Lyu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences
- Wuhan 430072
- China
| | - Xiaojuan Xu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences
- Wuhan 430072
- China
| | - Lina Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences
- Wuhan 430072
- China
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Geller A, Shrestha R, Yan J. Yeast-Derived β-Glucan in Cancer: Novel Uses of a Traditional Therapeutic. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3618. [PMID: 31344853 PMCID: PMC6695648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An increased understanding of the complex mechanisms at play within the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emphasized the need for the development of strategies that target immune cells within the TME. Therapeutics that render the TME immune-reactive have a vast potential for establishing effective cancer interventions. One such intervention is β-glucan, a natural compound with immune-stimulatory and immunomodulatory potential that has long been considered an important anti-cancer therapeutic. β-glucan has the ability to modulate the TME both by bridging the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system and by modulating the phenotype of immune-suppressive cells to be immune-stimulatory. New roles for β-glucan in cancer therapy are also emerging through an evolving understanding that β-glucan is involved in a concept called trained immunity, where innate cells take on memory phenotypes. Additionally, the hollow structure of particulate β-glucan has recently been harnessed to utilize particulate β-glucan as a delivery vesicle. These new concepts, along with the emerging success of combinatorial approaches to cancer treatment involving β-glucan, suggest that β-glucan may play an essential role in future strategies to prevent and inhibit tumor growth. This review emphasizes the various characteristics of β-glucan, with an emphasis on fungal β-glucan, and highlights novel approaches of β-glucan in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Geller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Rejeena Shrestha
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Jun Yan
- Immuno-Oncology Program, Division of Immunotherapy, Department of Surgery, The James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
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Inhibition of tumor growth by β-glucans through promoting CD4+ T cell immunomodulation and neutrophil-killing in mice. Carbohydr Polym 2019; 213:370-381. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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