Fungal β-Glucans: Biological Properties, Immunomodulatory Effects, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications - PMC
/PMC/2026
Why It Matters
This caught my attention because β-glucans are already in supplement form, but this review maps out exactly how they work at the receptor level. The mechanism matters: they're not generic 'immune boosters' — they activate specific pathways that could matter for everything from fighting off infections to potentially supporting cancer treatment. That said, most data is still preclinical or from small human studies, so we're far from dosing protocols.
Key Findings
- β-glucans primarily activate the dectin-1 receptor on immune cells, triggering downstream signaling cascades that enhance both innate and adaptive immune responses
- Structural differences matter significantly — β-1,3/1,6-glucans from yeast show different immunological activity compared to β-1,3-glucans from mushrooms due to branching patterns
- Preclinical studies demonstrate tumor growth inhibition and improved survival in cancer models, though mechanisms appear indirect through immune activation rather than direct anti-cancer effects
- Human clinical data exists for wound healing and post-surgical infection prevention, showing modest benefits in small trials, but large-scale RCTs are limited
- Diagnostic applications include using β-glucan blood tests to detect invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, which is already clinically validated
Read the Paper↗PMC11991713