Understanding the mechanism by which food polysaccharides modulate gut immunity

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.

Food polysaccharides from plants and microbes have attracted scientific interest for their ability to modulate immune function. Several studies have shown that food polysaccharides improved survival and immune function in cancer patients as well as disease models in animals, demonstrating appropriate intake of polysaccharides potentially maintain healthy gut homeostasis. While many literatures report medical benefits of such polysaccharides, the mechanism underlying its function is less clear. This has been a limitation to design more potent functionalized food polysaccharides. In this ISP, we propose to elucidate the mechanism by which food polysaccharides modulate immune responses. We will address which cell types in the intestine recognize food polysaccharides, followed by the identification of the receptors for polysaccharides. Further we will assess the prophylactic effect of polysaccharides on disease models in mice. Initially we will focus on immunomodulatory ?-glucans and ?-mannans derived from mushroom and yeast. These investigations will be expanded to other polysaccharides more broadly.

unavailable