Role of anti-beta-glucan antibody in host defense against fungi

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2005 Apr 1;44(1):99-109. doi: 10.1016/j.femsim.2004.12.012.

Abstract

We have recently detected an anti-beta-glucan antibody in normal human and normal mouse sera. The anti-beta-glucan antibody showed reactivity to pathogenic fungal Aspergillus and Candida cell wall glucan. Anti-beta-glucan antibody could bind whole Candida cells. It also enhanced the candidacidal activity of macrophages in vitro. The anti-beta-glucan antibody titer of DBA/2 mice intravenously administered either Candida or Aspergillus solubilized cell wall beta-glucan decreased remarkably dependent on dose. Moreover, in deep mycosis patients, the anti-beta-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-beta-glucan antibody formed an antigen-antibody complex and participated in the immune response as a molecule recognizing pathogenic fungi.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Fungal / blood*
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • Aspergillosis / immunology
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Aspergillus / immunology*
  • Aspergillus / pathogenicity
  • Candida / immunology*
  • Candida / pathogenicity
  • Candidiasis / immunology
  • Candidiasis / microbiology
  • Cell Wall / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • beta-Glucans / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Fungal
  • Antigen-Antibody Complex
  • Antigens, Fungal
  • beta-Glucans