ISSN:
1574-695X
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
We have recently detected an anti-β-glucan antibody in normal human and normal mouse sera. The anti-β-glucan antibody showed reactivity to pathogenic fungal Aspergillus and Candida cell wall glucan. Anti-β-glucan antibody could bind whole Candida cells. It also enhanced the candidacidal activity of macrophages in vitro. The anti-β-glucan antibody titer of DBA/2 mice intravenously administered either Candida or Aspergillus solubilized cell wall β-glucan decreased remarkably dependent on dose. Moreover, in deep mycosis patients, the anti-β-glucan antibody titer decreased, and this change correlated with clinical symptoms and other parameters such as C-reactive protein. It was suggested that the anti-β-glucan antibody formed an antigen–antibody complex and participated in the immune response as a molecule recognizing pathogenic fungi.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.femsim.2004.12.012
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