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Administration of β‐glucan following Leishmania major infection suppresses disease progression in mice
Author(s) -
GOLDMAN RACHEL,
JAFFE CHARLES L.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3024.1991.tb00270.x
Subject(s) - immunology , biology , leishmania , glucan , disease , leishmania major , leishmaniasis , medicine , parasite hosting , biochemistry , world wide web , computer science
Summary The potential of β‐glucan (glucan) to suppress the progression of lesions caused by virulent strains of Leishmania major in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice when administered post challenge was evaluated. Glucan particles (glucan p ) prepared from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were injected i.v. at 7‐day intervals starlins 7 days after parasite challenge. Four injections gave a more rapid and a higher extent of suppression than 1, 2 or 3 injections. Mice receiving only parasites, a glucose solution, starch particles or glucan p by the i.p. route showed a progressive increase in footpad thickness and developed ulcerating lesions. An alkali solubilized glucan (glucan as ) was injected (50 μg, 200 μg and 400 μg/mousc) 4 times at 4 day intervals either i.v. or i.p. starling four days post parasite challenge. Glucan as injection by either route blocked lesion development; the 50 μg treatment had already substantial effects and 400 μg in the i.p. route prevented even the initial stages of lesion formation. Touch prints from the lesion area and from the liver of mice receiving 200 μg glucan as were amasiigote free. The anti Leishmania antibody litre of glucan as treated mice was lower and their sera recognized fewer antigens than that of control Leishmania bearing mice.