Preparation of Albatrellus ovinus β-Glucan Microparticles with Dectin-1a Binding Properties

Fungal beta-glucans are compounds with the potential to activate the innate immune system, in part through binding to the receptor dectin-1. In the present study, small-scale methods for preparing dectin-1a binding microparticles from Albatrellus ovinus alkali-soluble beta-glucans were investigated. Mechanical milling was time-consuming and yielded large particles with wide size distributions. Precipitation was more successful: the beta-glucan was dissolved in 1 M NaOH, diluted, and precipitated in 1:1 mol equiv HCl . This yielded particles in sizes ranging from 0.5-2 mu m. The dectin-1a binding activity was determined using HEK-Blue reporter cells. The prepared particles were able to bind to dectin-1a to the same extent as baker's-yeast-derived beta-glucan particles. The precipitation method was convenient as a quick method for small-scale preparation of beta-glucan microparticle dispersions from mushroom beta-glucans.

Automated summary

In this study, small-scale methods for preparing dectin-1a binding microparticles from Albatrellus ovinus alkali-soluble beta-glucans were investigated. The precipitation method was found to be more successful in yielding microparticles in the desired size range. The prepared particles showed the same binding activity to dectin-1a as baker's-yeast-derived beta-glucan particles, indicating their potential as activators of the innate immune system.