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Updated: Nov 26, 2025

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Particulate β-glucan activates early and delayed phagosomal maturation and autophagy within macrophage in a NOX-2

Nida Fatima1, Tarun Upadhyay2, Firoz Ahmad1

  • 1Immunobiochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Life Sciences
|December 14, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Yeast-derived glucan particles (YDGP) activate NOX-2 dependent autophagy more effectively than PMP, enhancing antimicrobial activity. This suggests YDGP can be developed as value-added, autophagy-mediated therapeutics.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Macrophages engulf particles, but mechanisms of microparticle (MP)-induced immune responses are unclear.
  • NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX-2) generates ROS, regulating autophagy, a key cellular defense mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate NOX-2 ROS role in phagosomal maturation and autophagy.
  • Compare immune responses to yeast-derived glucan particles (YDGP) and poly-(D,L-lactic acid) microparticles (PMP).

Main Methods:

  • Macrophages exposed to YDGP and PMP.
  • Assessed ROS, phagosomal maturation, autophagy (LC3, NOX-2 expression).
  • Evaluated antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Salmonella typhimurium.

Main Results:

  • YDGP significantly enhanced phagosomal maturation and acidic vesicle accumulation compared to PMP.
  • YDGP induced NOX-2 dependent autophagy activation.
  • YDGP demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity.

Conclusions:

  • YDGP effectively induces NOX-2 dependent autophagy and exhibits antimicrobial properties.
  • Particulate glucans hold potential as 'value-added' autophagy-mediated therapeutics for drug delivery.
Keywords:
Antibacterial activityAutophagyMicroparticlesNOX-2Reactive oxygen speciesβ-Glucan

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