Compound from Yeast Shows Promise in Protecting Against Anthrax

A compound from baker's yeast, used to make bread rise, may one day help protect people against deadly anthrax infections, according to researchers.

In laboratory tests, the compound, called WGP Beta Glucan, significantly increased the survival rate of mice infected with lethal anthrax spores. Researchers believe the compound can be developed into a potent drug that has a similar effect on humans. Their findings were presented today at the 224th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.

WGP Beta Glucan is a patented form of beta 1,3-glucan, a polysaccharide derived from the cell wall of baker's yeast and other natural sources. Beta 1,3-glucan's potential health benefits, particularly its immune-enhancing properties, have been the subject of numerous scientific studies.

The current study represents the first demonstration that a specific form of beta 1,3-glucan can enhance the immune system's ability to kill anthrax spores, and that it can do so orally, says Gary R. Ostroff, Ph.D., vice president of research and development at Biopolymer Engineering Inc., in Eagan, Minn.

The study involved 80 mice, all of which were infected with a lethal dose of deadly anthrax spores. Of the 20 that received a placebo treatment, 30 to 50 percent survived. Of the 60 mice given beta glucan, 75 to 100 percent survived, the researcher said.

Although the mechanism of the glucan compound is not completely understood, it appears to work by binding to and strengthening macrophages, immune cells that are the first line of defense against bacterial infection. As a result, the cells fight harder against infection. In the case of anthrax, the fortified macrophage cells appear to kill the bacterial spores before they have a chance to germinate and spawn the deadly toxins that can quickly overwhelm a less-protected immune system, the researcher explained.

Studies are planned to determine the level of immune system protection that glucan offers specifically against anthrax spores, Ostroff said. The compound could potentially be developed into a drug that would work synergistically with existing anthrax therapies, including vaccines and antibiotics and antibodies to the anthrax toxin, he added.

Funding for this study was provided by Biopolymer Engineering Inc.; the Defense Research Establishment Suffield, Alberta, Canada; and Biophage Pharma Inc., Montreal, Canada.

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The paper on this research, CARB 99, will be presented at 1:20 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22, at Sheraton Boston, Republic B, as part of the topic "General Contributed Papers: Biochemistry of Carbohydrates."

Gary R. Ostroff, Ph.D., is vice president of research and development and chief scientist at Biopolymer Engineering, Inc., in Eagan, Minn.

-- Mark T. Sampson

#13292 Released 08/22/2002

CARB 99 Anthrax-protective effects of yeast beta 1,3-glucansGary R. Ostroff, Biopolymer Engineering, Inc, 3388 Mike Collins Drive, Eagan, MN 55121, [email protected]

The new awareness of the threat of bioterrorism has prompted a widespread search for defenses against this menace. This paper introduces the concept of immune modulator use to reduce the peril of bioterrorism and infectious disease. Results from the Mouse-Anthrax experiments detailed in this paper demonstrate that both prophylactic and therapeutic administration of the beta 1,3-glucan immune modulators; PGG-Glucan (PGG) and WGP Beta Glucan (WGP) significantly increased the survival rate of anthrax-infected mice. In animals prophylactically administered either systemic PGG or WGP survival increased from 30% in control-infected animals to greater than 80% in immunomodulator treated animals. In animals prophylactically administered oral WGP survival increased from 50% in control animals up to 100% in treated animals; therapeutically administered oral WGP increased survival from 30% in control-infected animals to 90% in immunomodulator treated animals. The established mechanism of action of these immune modulators led to an enhancement of anthrax microbial clearance as demonstrated by a significant decrease in bacterial load in the lungs of treated infected mice, and an significant increase in the proportion of bacteria-free mice 11 days after infection. These results provide preclinical "proof-of-concept" that the beta 1,3-glucan immune modulators, PGG-Glucan and WGP Beta-Glucan show potential to provide a significant degree of protection against the morbidity and mortality of a potential bioterroristic attack.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: Thursday, Aug. 22, 1: 15 PM, Eastern Time

CARB 99 Anthrax-protective effects of yeast beta 1,3-glucansGary R. Ostroff, Biopolymer Engineering, Inc, 3388 Mike Collins Drive, Eagan, MN 55121, [email protected]

* Briefly explain in lay language what you have done, why it is significant and its implications, particularly to the general public.

This work demonstrates that in addition to antibiotics and vaccines there is a third arm of defense against the threat of bioterrorism, immune modulation. In these studies mice were orally treated either before or after a lethal anthrax spore infection with the immune modulator, WGP Beta Glucan. Optimal oral WGP Beta Glucan treatments completely protected the mice from the lethal anthrax infection, whereas 50% of the control animalsdied from the infection. These results provide evidence that immune modulation with oral WGP Beta Glucan holds promise to support our immune system to fight against the threat of bioterrorism.

* How new is this work and how does it differ from that of others who may be doing similar research?

We and others have shown before that injectable beta glucan immune modulators protect against a broad range of infectious challenges andcancers. The new information in this abstract is that our proprietary WGPBeta Glucan formulation of yeast beta glucan is orally protective, evenagainst a lethal infection by anthrax spores. It is envisioned that immunemodulation with WGP Beta Glucan will be used in conjunction with antibioticand vaccine treatments, as immune modulation has been shown to act synergistically to protect against infectious challenges.

Immune modulation is being recognized by the CDC and the military as a valid approach to provide broad protection against a wide range of pathogenic threats. Our work is amongst the first to demonstrate this protectiveeffect against the bioterrorism pathogen, anthrax.