Open AccessStructural analysis and macrophage activation of a novel β‑glucan isolated from Cantharellus cibarius
Author(s) -
Yunhe Qu,
Xiaolin Zhao,
Huijun Guo,
Meng Yue,
Yumeng Wang,
Yifa Zhou,
Lin Sun
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.048
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1791-244X
pISSN - 1107-3756
DOI - 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4883
Subject(s) - polysaccharide , biochemistry , glucan , methylation , biology , macrophage , glucuronic acid , in vitro , chemistry , dna
The present study was designed to investigate the structure and immunomodulatory activity of a polysaccharide. A novel acidic β‑glucan (WCCP‑A‑b; molecular weight, 7.3 kDa) was purified from the fruiting bodies of the edible mushroom Cantharellus cibarius , which possesses high nutritional values. WCCP‑A‑b was composed primarily of glucose (89.7%) and glucuronic acid (8.8%). Methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis suggested that WCCP‑A‑b contained β‑D‑1,6‑glucan as its main chain, which was substituted at O‑3 by β‑1,3‑D‑Glc p oligosaccharides or a single‑unit of β‑Glc p residues. Minor β‑1,4‑D‑Glc p A residues may also be present in the side chains. The degree of branching was ~20.9%. Moreover, WCCP‑A‑b possessed a macrophage activating effect by promoting the secretion of nitric oxide, TNF‑α and IL‑6 in a dose‑dependent manner. At a cellular mechanistic level, WCCP‑A‑b activated macrophages via the MAPK signaling pathway. The present results provided useful information for supporting further investigations on the structure‑activity association of polysaccharides from C. cibarius , and indicated that the novel β‑glucan may be a potent natural immunomodulator, thus promoting the application of C. cibarius as a valuable source for functional food.