Underivatized, aqueous soluble beta(1-3) glucan, composition and method of making same

Abstract

The present invention relates to neutral, aqueous soluble β-glucans which exert potent and specific immunological effects without stimulating the production of certain cytokines, to preparations containing the novel β-glucans, and to a novel manufacturing process therefor. The neutral, aqueous soluble β-glucan preparation has a high affinity for the β glucan receptor of human monocytes and retains two primary biological (or immunological) activities, (1) the enhancement of microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells, and (2) monocyte, neutrophil and platelet hemo-poietic activity. Unlike soluble glucans described in the prior art, the neutral, aqueous soluble β-glucan of this invention neither induces nor primes IL-1β and TNFα production in vitro and in vivo. Safe and efficacious preparations of neutral, aqueous soluble β-glucan of the present invention can be used in therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment regimens of humans and animals to enhance their immune response, without stimulating the production of certain biochemical mediators (e.g., IL-Iβ, TNFα) that can cause detrimental side effects, such as fever and inflammation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A neutral, aqueous soluble β-glucan preparation which enhances host defense mechanisms to infection and does not induce an inflammatory response.  
     
     
         2 . An underivatized, aqueous soluble β-glucan composition in a triple helix conformation which enhances host immune defense mechanisms without inducing detrimental side effects.  
     
     
         3 . An underivatized, aqueous soluble β-glucan composition in a triple helix conformation having a high affinity to the glucan receptor on monocytes and which enhances microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells and the hemopoietic activity of monocytes, neutrophils and platelets.  
     
     
         4 . An underivatized, aqueous soluble β-glucan composition in a triple helix conformation which is effective in mobilizing the hosts normal immune defenses.