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Glucan-Based Macrophage Stimulators

A Review of their Anti-Infective Potential

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Summary

Sepsis and sepsis syndrome are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill surgical patients. Despite technological and therapeutic advances in critical care, sepsis continues to be a pivotal factor in 20 to 50% of deaths in surgical intensive care units. It is clear that alternative approaches to the prevention and/or treatment of sepsis must be found.

Preclinical data indicate that macrophage activation with (1 →3)-β-D-glucans will ameliorate sequelae associated with Gram-negative septicaemia. We and others have translated these preclinical observations to the clinical setting and have shown that macrophage activation with (1→3)-β-D-glucans will significantly reduce septic morbidity and mortality in trauma and/or high-risk surgical patients. The precise mechanism(s) by which (1→3)-β-D-glucans prevent or ameliorate infections have not been fully elucidated. However, recent data suggest the anti-infective efficacy of (1→3)-β-D-glucans is attributable, in part, to macrophage activation induced by binding of (1→3)-β-D-glucan to a specific receptor followed by modulation of macrophage pro-inflammatory cytokine expression.

This article reviews the anti-infective potential of (1→3)-β-D-glucans in the prevention of sepsis and septic sequelae.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37614-0575, USA

    David L. Williams, Antje Mueller & William Browder

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  1. David L. Williams
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  2. Antje Mueller
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  3. William Browder
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Williams, D.L., Mueller, A. & Browder, W. Glucan-Based Macrophage Stimulators. Clin. Immunother. 5, 392–399 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03259335

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