Khim 1998 Mar;24(3):211-8
Soluble mannan and beta-glucan inhibit the uptake of Malassezia furfur by human monocytic cell line, THP-1.
Suzuki T, Ohno N, Ohshima Y, Yadomae T
Laboratory of Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Hachioji, Japan.
The uptake of live and heat-killed Malassezia furfur HIC 3321, HIC 3343 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 by human monocytic cell line, THP-1, was examined. THP-1 was differentiated by PMA for 7 days before use. The uptake of these yeasts by THP-1 was increased in a concentration-dependent manner of yeasts, and the uptake reached plateau level at the E/T (yeast/THP-1) ratio 5. In addition, a higher percentage of heat-killed cells than live cells was taken in THP-1. Yeast mannan and beta-1,3-glucan, random coiled conformer, inhibited the uptake of live and heat-killed M. furfur by THP-1, though dextran T-250, that is alpha-glucan, and schizophyllan (SPG), triple helix conformer of beta-glucan, did not. Interestingly, mannan inhibited the uptake of both types, live and heat-killed, of C. albicans, however, laminaran inhibited the uptake of heat-killed C. albicans alone. Opsonization of these yeasts with normal human serum enhanced the uptake of yeasts, although opsonization with heat-inactivated serum, the treatment at 56 degrees C for 30 min, did not enhance. These results suggested that live and heat-killed M. furfur was recognized by THP-1 through mannose receptor, beta-glucan receptor and complement receptor type 3 via the activation of alternative pathway of complement.
PMID: 9718212, UI: 98382338


Dev Comp Immunol 1989 Winter;13(1):9-16
Phagocytosis of yeast by Biomphalaria glabrata: carbohydrate specificity of hemocyte receptors and a plasma opsonin.
Fryer SE, Hull CJ, Bayne CJ
Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331-2914.
In vitro phagocytosis of yeast cells by hemocytes of the mollusc Biomphalaria glabrata can occur in the absence of plasma, but is enhanced by opsonization in plasma from certain snail strains. We have investigated the carbohydrate specificity of the hemocyte-bound receptor for phagocytosis and the free plasma opsonin using two dominant carbohydrate components of the yeast cell wall (laminarin and mannan). Phagocytic uptake in the absence of plasma of both untreated and opsonized yeast is strongly inhibited by laminarin, but is unaffected by mannan. In contrast, laminarin does not interfere with opsonization whereas mannan blocks the process, blocking the binding of a 57 kD plasma component as detected by Western immunoblot. These results suggest that the opsonic lectin in plasma is not simply a free form of the hemocyte-bound receptor for yeast phagocytosis.
PMID: 2670623, UI: 89357197