Abstract
beta-Glucans are naturally occurring carbohydrates that possess immune-modulating activities, but their mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Recent discoveries, however, including identification of beta-glucan receptors, such as dectin-1, have started to shed some light on the mechanisms underlying the properties of these carbohydrates. The characterization of dectin-1, in particular, has revealed some of the processes involved in beta-glucan sensing, intracellular signaling, and induction of cellular responses and has provided new insights into the role of beta-glucans in immunity and disease. Here we review both beta-glucans and their receptor, dectin-1.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 45-60 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
| Volume | 1143 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2008 |
Keywords
- animals
- autoimmunity
- humans
- ligands
- membrane proteins
- models, biological
- nerve tissue proteins
- receptors, immunologic
- signal transduction
- beta-glucans
- ß-glucans
- ß-glucan receptors
- dectin-1
- fungi
- infection
- inflammation
- Syk
- candida
- cancer
- signaling
- innate immunity
- macrophage
- dendritic cell
- TLR
