Anti-fungal cell wall β-glucan antibody in animal sera

Abstract

β-Glucan is a major component of the cell walls and pathogen-associated microbial patterns of fungi. We previously reported the presence of an antibody which reacts to β-glucan, anti-β-glucan (BG) antibody, in human sera. In livestock and domestic pets, the antibody's response to fungal cell wall β-glucan is little understood. In this study, we examined the existence and reactivity of anti-BG antibody in various animal species. We demonstrated the presence of the anti-BG antibody in each animal's serum. Individual differences in the titer existed. The antibody was highly reactive to Candida solubilized cell wall β-glucan (CSBG) while reacting little to grifolan (GRN) from Grifola frondosa. This suggested that the anti-BG antibody interacted with fungal cell wall β-glucan and participated in the immune-response to pathogenic fungi.