PROVIDENCE, RI – September 28, 2004 – Researchers in the Department of Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University have discovered further evidence that beta glucan enhances the ability of certain human immune cells to navigate to the site of a bacterial infection. The results of this research were published in the August issue of Surgery. (Surgery. 2004 Aug;136(2):384-9.)
According to their paper, entitled “ß-Glucan Affects Leukocyte Navigation in a Complex Chemotactic Gradient,” beta glucan [soluble beta glucan from Biopolymer Engineering, Inc.] binds to receptors (CR3) on neutrophils, the most abundant type of innate immune cell in the body, and benefits the host defense two ways.
One is increased killing capacity of the neutrophils and the other is migration or chemotaxis to the site of an infection or challenge. Neutrophils are attracted to the site of an infection by blood proteins called chemoattractants and are among the first cells of the body to respond to a challenge due to infection or injury.
“Priming the neutrophils with beta glucan increases their ability to sense complement fragments emanating from the site of an infection,” said Jonathan Reichner, Ph.D., who led the research. Dr. Reichner is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and Associate Director of the Pathobiology Graduate Program at Brown University. “As a result, beta glucan helps neutrophils locate the bacterial mother lode within a infected tissue.. This more rapid response to infection results in faster microbial clearance and healing.”
In an experiment designed to measure cell migration, human neutrophils were placed in chambered slides with chemoattractants C5a or IL-8. Whereas both C5a and IL-8 are capable of attracting neutrophils, the former is formed and released at the site of a bacterial infection while the latter is released from patient tissue in the vicinity of the infectious focus. After leaving the bloodstream, neutrophils are challenged with the need to navigate through multiple attractive signals and give priority to those derived from bacteria in order to locate the infectious source. Researchers found that glucan significantly improves the ability of neutrophils to interpret these signals by increasing their sensitivity to C5a and blunting their movement to IL-8. Taken together, this results in an improved navigational compass leading cells directly to the bacterial source. number of chemotactic cells was quantified by microscopy.
For the past 15 years, Dr. Reichner has been studying the ability of beta glucan to enhance the immune system to fight infectious diseases.
Biopolymer Engineering is developing its patented beta glucan technology as a pharmaceutical drug to work in combination with cancer monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. The company is also working with Dr. Reichner and other researchers to advance the science of its compounds to fight infectious disease.
About Biopolymer Engineering, Inc.
Biopolymer Engineering, Inc. is
pioneering carbohydrate biotechnology to develop proprietary
compounds that enhance the immune system and provide the opportunity
to improve global health. Based in Eagan, Minnesota, the company has
more than 40 U.S. patents and patents pending, with additional
filings in more than 20 countries that protect its products and
compounds. Biopolymer Engineering is developing applications for
pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, functional foods,
cosmetics and animal feed and nutrition. Website:
www.biopolymer.com.
Contact:
David Walsh
Biopolymer Engineering, Inc.
651-256-4606