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Understanding the mechanism by which food polysaccharides modulate gut immunity

Reference	BBS/E/F/00044486
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Norihito Kawasaki
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,153,476
Status	Current
Type	Institute Project
Start date	25/03/2013
End date	31/03/2018
Duration	60 months

Abstract

Food polysaccharides from plants and microbes have attracted scientific interest for their ability to modulate immune function. Several studies have shown that food polysaccharides improved survival and immune function in cancer patients as well as disease models in animals, demonstrating appropriate intake of polysaccharides potentially maintain healthy gut homeostasis. While many literatures report medical benefits of such polysaccharides, the mechanism underlying its function is less clear. This has been a limitation to design more potent functionalized food polysaccharides. In this ISP, we propose to elucidate the mechanism by which food polysaccharides modulate immune responses. We will address which cell types in the intestine recognize food polysaccharides, followed by the identification of the receptors for polysaccharides. Further we will assess the prophylactic effect of polysaccharides on disease models in mice. Initially we will focus on immunomodulatory ?-glucans and ?-mannans derived from mushroom and yeast. These investigations will be expanded to other polysaccharides more broadly.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Not funded via Committee
Research Topics	Diet and Health, Immunology
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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