Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

OLIgo Mass Profiling (OLIMP) of Extracellular Polysaccharides
Published on: June 21, 2010
Immunomodulatory activity of acidic xylans in relation to their structural and molecular properties
A Ebringerová1, A Kardosová, Z Hromádková
1Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 842 38 Bratislava, Slovakia. chemebri@savba.sk
Abstract:
The structure/function relationship of two acidic heteroxylan types, the arabino-(glucurono)xylan from corn cobs (AGX) and 4-O-methylglucuronoxylans (GXs) from beechwood and three medicinal herbs (Rudbeckia, Altheae, and Mahonia), has been studied. The effect of the molecular mass of AGX, as well as the content and distribution of the 4-O-methylglucuronic acid side chains in GXs on the immunological activity of these xylans was characterized by their biological response in the mitogenic and comitogenic thymocyte in vitro tests. Depolymerization of AGX by ultrasonication resulted in unequivocal decrease of the immunomodulatory activity, whereas already a short treatment by endo-beta-1,4-xylanase brought about a significant increase in its activity when applied in the highest dose. In the case of the GX samples, neither the uronic acid content nor the distribution pattern of the uronic acid side chains was found to be determinant for the expression of their immunomodulatory activity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Molecular Structure and Acidity
The size effect explains the change in atomic size on acidity. When comparing the acids formed from elements that belong to the same column in the periodic table, their atomic sizes...
Substituent Effects on Acidity of Carboxylic Acids
Glycosaminoglycans
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the parenchyma cells of...
Glycocalyx and its Functions
Components of...

