Adjuvant effect and TLR4 mediated activation of macrophages by polysaccharide from Polyporus albicans

Author: Antik Bose Senior Scientist and Project Advisor, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109.

Abstract
A water soluble polysaccharide from mycelium of Polyporus albicans has been identified for its potency in stimulating cellular and humoral immune response. The adjuvant potential of this polysaccharide was identified and found to be higher than conventional adjuvants. The 37 KDa polysaccharide was purified using different macroporous absorption resins and Reverse phase HPLC. Structural determination was done by sugar and methylation analysis, 13C NMR, FTIR, MALDI-TOF,ESI-IT, MALDI-PSD TOF spectroscopy. The molecular size of the polysaccharide was determined by Zetasier nanosystem. It showed TLR4 dependent NO, IL-1 and TNF- production.