Journal Article

Structure-Functional Activity Relationship of β-Glucans From the Perspective of Immunomodulation: A Mini-Review

Han, Biao, Vanrompay, Daisy, Cox, Eric, Baruah, Kartik, Bossier, Peter

2020

Overview

β-Glucans are a heterogeneous group of glucose polymers with a common structure comprising a main chain of β-(1,3) and/or β-(1,4)-glucopyranosyl units, along with side chains with various branches and lengths. β-Glucans initiate immune responses via immune cells, which become activated by the binding of the polymer to specific receptors. However, β-glucans from different sources also differ in their structure, conformation, physical properties, binding affinity to receptors, and thus biological functions. The mechanisms behind this are not fully understood. This mini-review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date commentary on the relationship between β-glucans' structure and function in relation to their use for immunomodulation.

• Publisher: Frontiers Media SA,Frontiers Media S.A
• Subject: Animals / beta-Glucans - chemistry / beta-Glucans - immunology / Conformation / Cytokines / Dendritic cells / Fungal infections / Glucans / Humans / Immune response / Immune system / Immunity / Immunology / Immunomodulation / molecular structure / Molecular weight / Pathobiology / Patobiologi / Protein Binding / Protein Conformation / Receptor mechanisms / Sarcoma / Signal transduction / solubility / Structure-Activity Relationship / structure-function relationship / Structure-function relationships / Tumor necrosis factor-TNF / β-Glucan / β-glucans