TY - JOUR AU - Huff, Mary O. AU - Klinge, Carolyn M. PY - 2017 TI - Regulation of Gene Expression by β-Glucans JF - American Journal of Immunology VL - 13 IS - 1 DO - 10.3844/ajisp.2017.1.10 UR - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajisp.2017.1.10 AB - β-D-glucans are diverse polysaccharides derived from plant cell walls, fungi and bacteria. β-D-glucans are composed of D-glucose monomers linked by (1-3) β-glycosidic bonds with varying amounts of (1-6) or (1-4) linked side chains that bind cell surface receptors ultimately triggering changes in intracellular pathways and gene transcription. β-D-glucans have anti-viral, immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities. This article reviews the current identity and putative function of genes regulated by β-glucans purified from various sources in human cancer and immune cells and in murine dendritic, macrophage cells and lungs. β-D-glucans increase the expression of numerous cytokines and immunomodulatory factors and their receptors in dendritic cells. Pathways and transcription factors involved in the cellular responses to β-glucans are summarized.