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Euglena gracilis paramylon activates human lymphocytes by upregulating pro-inflammatory factors

Rossella Russo1, Laura Barsanti2, Valter Evangelista2

  • 1Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR Pisa Italy.

Food Science & Nutrition
|March 8, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Euglena paramylon, a beta-glucan, effectively activates human immune cells (lymphomonocytes) by upregulating inflammatory factors. This natural compound shows promise as a safe immune system coadjutant.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry
  • Natural Products

Background:

  • Beta-glucans are known immune modulators.
  • Understanding specific beta-glucan structures and their immune activation mechanisms is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the activation of human lymphomonocytes by Euglena paramylon and MacroGard®.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of beta-glucan-induced immune responses.
  • To compare the efficacy of Euglena paramylon with commercial beta-glucans.

Main Methods:

  • Gene expression analysis using RT-PCR.
  • Immunocytochemistry to visualize transcription factor activation.
  • Colorimetric assays for mediator quantification.
  • Phagocytosis assays to assess cell-glucan interactions.

Main Results:

  • Sonicated and alkalized Euglena paramylon upregulated pro-inflammatory factors (NO, TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2) and NF-κB transactivation in lymphomonocytes.
  • Phagocytosis of beta-glucans was not required for immune signaling.
  • Euglena paramylon induced a significantly greater response than MacroGard®.

Conclusions:

  • Linear fibrous Euglena β-glucan, processed via sonication and alkaline treatment, acts as a potent activator of lymphomonocytes.
  • This Euglena β-glucan demonstrates potential as a safe and effective coadjutant for the innate immune system.
Keywords:
EuglenaMacroGard®glucansinnate immunityparamylon

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