It is well known that α-glucan plays an important role as a modulator of immune responses. Studies have demonstrated the potential of α-glucan as an adjuvant and carrier for cancer immunotherapy. CD BioGlyco is a leader in carbohydrate adjuvant development and has established an advanced Glyco™ Vaccine Development Platform. Our adjuvant development services have been recognized by researchers from many countries. We are confident to be your indispensable assistant in α-glucan-based adjuvant development.

α-Glucan Adjuvant

α-Glucan is a homopolysaccharide composed of glucose monomers linked by α-glycosidic bonds. The most common α-glucans are α-1,3 glucans, α-1,4 glucans, and α-1,6 glucans. Despite extensive research on microbial glucans, reports on α-glucan adjuvants are still rare, mainly focusing on modified dextran and starches. Dextran is a microbial polysaccharide composed of α-1,6-glucans and α-1,3-branched chains, with various human therapeutic applications, such as antithrombotic agents. Studies have shown the potential of diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextran in enhancing antibodies to the whole-cell cholera vaccine in mice.

Dextran Adjuvant Properties

Dextran activates NF-κB and induces pro-inflammatory responses, such as sulfated dextran-induced inflammatory colitis in mice. DEAE-dextran, a polycationic derivative of dextran used in veterinary adjuvants, enhanced primary immune responses to Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus vaccine in rhesus monkeys and enhanced antibody responses to whole-cell cholera vaccine in mice. In a mouse model, a dextran-cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) adjuvant conjugate enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocytes and tumor-specific Th1 immune responses to protein vaccines. This demonstrates the potential of dextran adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy. In addition, acetylated dextran particles were used as antibody-adjuvant carriers to deliver the Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) agonist imiquimod to immune cells, enhancing the body's humoral and cellular immunity.

Fig.1 Dextran-CpG adjuvant enhances anti-tumor immunotherapy. (Zhang, 2017)

α-Glucan Adjuvant Development Services

Compounds derived from plants and natural products have great advantages in immunomodulation. Among polysaccharides, α-glucan has attracted much attention. CD BioGlyco provides customers with plant-derived α-glucan adjuvants development services. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) adjuvants development: It has been used as an adjuvant against the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine, which enhanced the body-specific antibody level.
• RR1 polysaccharide adjuvants development: Induces the synthesis of Th1 cytokines and activates macrophages.
• LJW0F2 adjuvants development: Enhances neuroblastoma cell viability, inhibits cytotoxicity, and apoptosis.
• YCP adjuvants development: Enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages, promotes lymphocyte proliferation and induces cytokine secretion.

CD BioGlyco has been focusing on the development of carbohydrate adjuvants for many years. Our experts are pleased to provide α-glucan-based adjuvant development services according to your needs. If you currently have special needs in α-glucan adjuvant development, please contact us directly, and we will do our best to help you with your project.

References:

1. Zhang, W.; et al. Targeting CpG adjuvant to lymph node via dextran conjugate enhances antitumor immunotherapy. Bioconjugate chemistry. 2017, 28(7):1993-2000.
2. Moreno-Mendieta, S.; et al. Potential of glucans as vaccine adjuvants: A review of the α-glucans case. Carbohydrate polymers. 2017, 165:103-114.