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REVIEW article
Front. Immunol.
Sec. Nutritional Immunology
Volume 15 - 2024 |
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1406213
This article is part of the Research Topic Effects of Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds as Nutritional Supplements on Inflammation View all 3 articles
Unraveling the web of defense: The crucial role of polysaccharides in immunity
Provisionally accepted
Yu Shen
1
Hongbo Zhao
2
Shihao Wu
1
Xuefeng Wang
1
Yuliang Wang
1
Chaoxing Wang
1
Yu Zhang
1*
Hong Zhao
1*- 1 School of Pharmacy, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province, China
- 2 School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province, China
The great potential of polysaccharides in immunological regulation has recently been highlighted in pharmacological and clinical studies. Polysaccharides can trigger immunostimulatory responses through molecular identification, intra- and intercellular communication via direct or indirect interactions with the immune system. Various immunostimulatory polysaccharides or their derivative compounds interactsat cellular level to boost the immune system, including arabinogalactans, fucoidans, mannans, xylans, galactans, hyaluronans, fructans, pectin and arabinogalactans, etc. These natural polysaccharides are derived from various plants, animals and microbes. A unique structural diversity has been identified in polysaccharides, while monosaccharides and glucosidic bonds mainly confer diverse biological activities. These natural polysaccharides improve antioxidant capacity, reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, strengthen the intestinal barrier, influence the composition of intestinal microbial populations and promote the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids. These natural polysaccharides are also known to reduce excessive inflammatory responses. It is crucial to develop polysaccharide-based immunomodulators that could be used to prevent or treat certain diseases. This review highlights the structural features, immunomodulatory properties, underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms of naturally occurring polysaccharides, and activities related to immune effects by elucidating a complex relationship between polysaccharides and immunity. In addition, the future of these molecules as potential immunomodulatory components that could transform pharmaceutical applications at clinical level will also be highlighted.
Keywords: Polysaccharides, Immunity, Immune Regulation, Natural polysaccharides, Gut Microbiota, immunostimulatory activity
Received: 24 Mar 2024; Accepted: 07 Oct 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 Shen, Zhao, Wu, Wang, Wang, Wang, Zhang and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Yu Zhang, School of Pharmacy, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province, China
Hong Zhao, School of Pharmacy, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang Province, China
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