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Modulating pro-fibrotic macrophages using yeast beta-glucan microparticles prepared by Pressurized Gas eXpanded

S Naiel1, N Dowdall2, Q Zhou3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 50 Charlton Avenue East, L314-5, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada.

Biomaterials
|September 9, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Yeast beta-glucan (YBG) microparticles processed with new technology show promise for treating lung fibrosis. These microparticles effectively reprogram pro-fibrotic macrophages into anti-fibrotic ones, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Pro-fibrotic M2-like macrophages drive lung fibrosis through growth factor and cytokine production.
  • Yeast beta-glucan (YBG) microparticles can modulate macrophage polarization via Dectin-1 receptor engagement.
  • Current YBG microparticle fabrication methods yield unpredictable immunomodulatory outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop YBG microparticles with enhanced properties for improved immunomodulation.
  • To investigate the efficacy of PGX-YBG microparticles in modulating macrophage polarization.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of PGX-YBG for lung fibrotic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of YBG microparticles using Pressurized Gas eXpanded liquids (PGX) Technology.
  • Characterization of PGX-YBG microparticles (surface area, density, size distribution).
  • In vitro and ex vivo assessment of macrophage polarization and Dectin-1/TLR activation.

Main Results:

  • PGX-YBG microparticles exhibited higher surface areas, lower densities, and more uniform size distributions than spray-dried YBGs.
  • PGX-YBG demonstrated more efficient Dectin-1 activation with minimal TLR 2/4 activation in vitro.
  • PGX-YBG effectively converted M2-like fibrotic macrophages to a fibrosis-suppressing phenotype in vitro and ex vivo.

Conclusions:

  • PGX Technology enables the fabrication of YBG microparticles with superior physicochemical and immunomodulatory properties.
  • PGX-YBG microparticles represent a promising therapeutic agent for lung fibrosis by reprogramming pro-fibrotic macrophages.
  • This approach holds potential for treating diverse fibrotic lung diseases.

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