Due to their desirable biocompatibility, versatile structural modification for loading drugs as well as their targeted recognition by immune cells, naturally occurring polysaccharide-based drug delivery system is a hot topic. Among them, β-glucans are non-digestible polysaccharides with immunomodulatory activities that have attracted increasing attention to serving. By assembling top-class scientific experts and integrating state-of-the-art technologies in β-glucan-based macrophage-targeted drug delivery, scientists at Creative Biolabs will work together closely to address these scientific and technical challenges.

Properties and Functions of β-glucans

β-glucans are non-starch polysaccharides that can resist the degradation caused by endogenous mammalian enzymes. In comparison with α-glucans like starch and dextran linked by α-glycosidic bonds, β-glucans have their glucose units connected by either β-1,3,-1,6 and/or -1,4 glycosidic linkages. Studies have shown that β-glucans have immunomodulatory activity due to their selective recognition by pattern recognition receptors such as Dectin1 receptor, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed mainly on immune cells, including macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Moreover, after being captured by the macrophages through pattern recognition receptors and also in the presence of CD11b/CD18, β-glucans would be internalized and degraded into smaller fragments, and then be transported with the circulation of macrophages. β-glucans are likely to bind with CR3 found on natural killer (NK) cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, which could further prime to recognize and interact with the inactivated complement 3b on the surface of those cells. Those cells are tagged with a monoclonal antibody and coated with iC3b. In that situation, the β-glucan can activate neutrophils and NK cells via binding to CR3 and activation of the CR3-Sky-Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway, and trigger humoral and cell-mediated immunity, resulting in the lysis of iC3b-coated cancer cells. Functioning as immune-stimulants and modulating the profile of tumor microenvironment, therefore, β-glucans have been engaged in immunotherapy.

Fig.1 The uptake and subsequent actions of β-glucan on immune cells.^1,2

β-glucan-based Macrophage-targeted Drug Delivery System Development at Creative Biolabs

The recent development of β-glucan as a carrier for targeting drugs to macrophages for immunotherapy is gaining increasing interest. The intrinsic differences of the β-glucans derived from different sources will elicit variable immune and anti-cancer responses. Therefore, careful selection of appropriate β-glucans is essential.

Creative Biolabs has organized a staff of seasoned scientists who have engaged in the research of β-glucan-based macrophage-targeted drug delivery systems for many years. We are well equipped and versed in β-glucan-based macrophage-targeted drug delivery system development. Our scientists have accumulated rich experience in the development of Macrophage-targeted Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems, which are based on yeast β-glucan, non-yeast triple-helical β-glucan, and hyper-branched β-glucan.

Advantages of β-glucan-based Macrophage-targeted Drug Delivery

• No requirement for a high concentration of drugs to kill cancer cells directly.
• Reducing tumor recurrence by creating unique immune memory for malignant cells.

β-glucan is a promising carrier for macrophage-targeted drug delivery with stability, biocompatibility and specificity. Creative Biolabs offers accurate and effective solutions for researchers who are committed to β-glucan-based macrophage-targeted drug delivery system development. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us or send us your inquiry or question.

References

1. Chan, Godfrey Chi-Fung, Wing Keung Chan, and Daniel Man-Yuen Sze. "The effects of β-glucan on human immune and cancer cells." Journal of hematology & oncology 2 (2009): 1-11.
2. Under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.