Effect of the structural characterization of the fungal polysaccharides on their immunomodulatory activity

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) from microbial fermentation are known for diverse biological activities.
• Investigating novel EPS for immunomodulatory properties is crucial for developing new therapeutic and functional food agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of four extracellular polysaccharides (WPA, WPB, AP2A, TP1A) isolated from Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus terreus, and Trichoderma sp. KK19L1.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of these EPS on RAW264.7 macrophage cells in vitro.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and purification of four extracellular polysaccharides (WPA, WPB, AP2A, TP1A).
• In vitro assessment of cytotoxicity on RAW264.7 cells using cell viability assays.
• Evaluation of immunomodulatory activities, including phagocytic activity and the release of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from RAW264.7 cells.

Main Results:

• The tested extracellular polysaccharides (WPA, WPB, AP2A, TP1A) exhibited no toxicity to RAW264.7 cells and enhanced cell viability.
• All four polysaccharides demonstrated significant immunomodulatory effects by increasing phagocytic activity and stimulating the release of NO, TNF-α, and IL-6.
• The immunomodulatory activity varied among the polysaccharides, with the order of efficacy being WPA > WPB > AP2A > TP1A, correlating with their distinct structural characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Extracellular polysaccharides WPA, WPB, AP2A, and TP1A possess potent immunomodulatory properties.
• These fungal-derived EPS show promise as potential immunomodulatory agents for applications in functional foods and medicine.
• Further structural elucidation and in vivo studies are warranted to fully characterize and validate their therapeutic potential.