Beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods
Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.
1. A method comprising:
administering to a subject an amount of a composition effective to bind to B cells and modulate at least one biological function of the B cells, the composition comprising:
a β-glucan moiety; and
an active moiety coupled to the β-glucan moiety, the active moiety comprising an immunomodulator, an antibody, a cytotoxic agent, a cytokine, an inhibitor of Bcl-2, a kinase inhibitor, an mTOR inhibitor, a proteosome inhibitor, or an immunosuppressive agent, with the proviso that the active moiety does not include an antigen.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the β-glucan moiety comprises a soluble β-glucan or a particulate β-glucan.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the β-glucan moiety comprises a derivatized β-glucan.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the β-glucan moiety is isolated from yeast.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the yeast comprises Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the active moiety comprises an immunomodulator, an antibody, an antigen, a cytotoxic agent, a cytokine, or an immunosuppressive agent.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through a covalent linkage.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through an affinity linkage.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one biological function of the B cells comprises making an immunoglobulin.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein modulating at least one B cell biological function comprises killing B cells.
11. A β-glucan compound comprising:
a β-glucan moiety; and
an active moiety coupled to the β-glucan moiety, the active moiety comprising an immunomodulator, an antibody, a cytotoxic agent, a cytokine, an inhibitor of Bcl-2, a kinase inhibitor, an mTOR inhibitor, a proteosome inhibitor, or an immunosuppressive agent, with the proviso that the active moiety does not include an antigen.
12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
a β-glucan compound comprising:
a β-glucan moiety; and
an active moiety coupled to the β-glucan moiety, the active moiety comprising an immunomodulator, an antibody, a cytotoxic agent, a cytokine, an inhibitor of Bcl-2, a kinase inhibitor, an mTOR inhibitor, a proteosome inhibitor, or an immunosuppressive agent, with the proviso that the active moiety does not include an antigen; and
a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
13. The β-glucan compound of claim 11 wherein the active moiety comprises an immunomodulator, an antibody, a cytotoxic agent, a cytokine, or an immunosuppressive agent.
14. The β-glucan moiety of claim 11 wherein the β-glucan moiety is isolated from yeast.
15. The β-glucan moiety of claim 14 wherein the yeast comprises Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
16. The β-glucan moiety of claim 11 wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through a covalent linkage.
17. The β-glucan moiety of claim 11 wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through an affinity linkage.
18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 wherein the active moiety comprises an immunomodulator, an antibody, a cytotoxic agent, a cytokine, or an immunosuppressive agent.
19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 wherein the β-glucan moiety is isolated from yeast.
20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19 wherein the yeast comprises Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
21. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through a covalent linkage.
22. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through an affinity linkage.