Biothera Compounds Induce Immune Responses via Different Mechanisms
EAGAN, MN – March 19, 2008 – Biothera’s food-grade and pharmaceutical compounds induce innate human immune responses but through different cellular mechanism, according to research presented recently at the Keystone Symposia’s conference on Innate Immunity: Signaling Mechanisms. The research furthers understanding of how Biothera compounds work in the body.
In a poster presentation, Biothera researchers demonstrated that Wellmune WGP® and Imprime PGG™ induce immune responses through different intracellular signaling pathways and immune cell surface receptors. Both compounds trigger the production of oxidative burst to kill foreign challenges. Wellmune wgp is a natural immune enhancement ingredient for nutritional supplements and functional foods and beverages. Imprime PGG is a developmental cancer drug currently being evaluated in FDA clinical trial programs.
“The research shows that Biothera’s compounds can induce human phagocytic cells to produce pathogen-killing oxygen radicals through multiple mechanisms,” said Daniel Conners, Biothera chairman. “By understanding the pathways involved, we can better direct the compounds to produce a desired immune response.”
The poster presentation is entitled, “Activation of Human Monocytes with a Yeast-derived Pathogen Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMP), β-glucan.” The authors are Biothera researchers Nandita Bose, Megan L. Griggs, Lindsay R. Wurst, Christine M. Dudney, Michael E. Danielson, Nathaniel T. Theoharis, Richard M. Walsh, Myra L. Patchen, and John P. Vasilakos.
Biothera’s beta 1,3/1,6 gluco polysaccharides are key pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) recognized by primary human phagocytic cells. PAMPs are natural molecular structures that the innate immune system uses to recognize foreign pathogens and to trigger innate immune cells to kill the pathogen and to activate the adaptive immune system.
About Biothera, the Immune Health Company
Biothera is a biotechnology company dedicated to improving immune health. The company is developing pharmaceuticals that engage the innate immune system to fight cancer. Biothera also manufactures and markets food-grade ingredients that support healthy immune function to the nutritional supplement, functional food, cosmetic and animal nutrition markets.
Contact:
David Walsh
VP, Communications
Biothera, the Immune Health Company
651-256-4606