A component found in all mushrooms can provide a shield that prevents pulmonary damage linked to flu, according to a new Canadian study.
The preclinical essay revealed how beta -glucane – which is in all mushrooms, as well as yeast, oats and barley – can “reprogram” immune cells to prevent pulmonary inflammation.
A team of scientists from the McGill University Health Center research institute, has shown that the administration of the mouse compound before their exposure to flu, reduces pulmonary lesions, improves pulmonary function and reduces the risk of disease and death.
Scientists led by Professor Maziar Divahi have discovered that a unique structure of this component can stimulate the defenses against pathogens.
While most research focuses on preventing the virus from being replicated, this study explored how to regulate body immunity to infection, a concept called “tolerance to diseases”. Researchers have discovered that beta-glucane improves the survival rates of flu considerably by modulating immune responses and preventing serious pulmonary inflammation, a common cause of death.
These results, Posted in Immunology NatureHighlight beta-glucan as promising therapy for flu, as well as other emerging viral pathogens.
“It is remarkable to see how beta-glucane can reprogram certain immune cells, such as neutrophils, to control excessive inflammation in the lung”, ” said first author Nargis Khan, who conducted this research in McGill and is now a deputy professor at the University of Calgary.
“Neutrophils are traditionally known to cause inflammation, but beta-gluan has the ability to change their role to reduce it,” added the Kim Tran co-prime, which recently completed its doctorate. in McGill.
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Rebalancing of the immune system
Most of the influenza deaths are not caused by the virus itself, but by an excessive reaction to the immune system, the researchers said. This suggests that the real danger lies in the host’s own immune response. However, the way the immune system becomes so unbalanced remains poorly understood.
“Beta-glucane is in the cell walls of all mushrooms, including some that live in and on our body within the framework of the human microbiome,” explained Divahi.
“It is tempting to assume that the levels and composition of fungi in an individual could influence the way their immune system reacts to infections, partly because of the beta-glucan.”
With the current flu season and the imminent threat of the bird flu (H5N1), the development of effective therapeutic strategies for respiratory diseases is more critical than ever, he added.
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Research was funded by Canadian Health Research Institutes. Future studies will explore how the results apply exactly to humans.
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