In vitro activation of human adherent cells by a glucan, Schizophyllan

Adherent cells from human peripheral blood were cultured in the presence of purified beta(1-3) glucan (SPG) derived from basidiomycetes Schizophyllun commune Fries, and kinetics of activation was studied. Acid phosphatase activity of the adherent cells cultured with SPG increased in parallel with the dose after 48 hours of incubation. Cytostatic activity of the adherent cells cultured with SPG was also augmented after the same incubation period. The elevated level of acid phosphatase activity and the cytostatic activity of SPG-treated adherent cells were in parallel with the cytotoxic activity of these cells. These results indicate that SPG can directly activate human adherent cells in vitro.