Beta-Glucans Found in Mushrooms Can Reprogram Neutrophils to Combat Influenza A Viruses

Medical News: A Natural Compound in Mushrooms Could Help Fight Deadly Flu Infections
A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre in Canada has uncovered a promising new way to combat influenza A viruses (IAV). Scientists have found that beta-glucans, a naturally occurring compound present in all mushrooms, can reprogram the body’s immune cells - specifically neutrophils - to enhance disease tolerance and protect against severe flu-related lung damage.


Beta-Glucans Found in Mushrooms Can Reprogram Neutrophils to Combat Influenza A Viruses

Influenza A viruses are responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks and can sometimes lead to severe complications, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. While traditional antiviral treatments aim to stop viral replication, the new study takes a different approach by focusing on the body’s immune response, a concept known as disease tolerance. This Medical News report delves into the study’s key findings and explores the potential implications of beta-glucans in flu treatment.
 
How Beta-Glucans Enhance the Body’s Immune Response
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides found in the cell walls of fungi, including edible mushrooms, as well as in yeast, oats, and barley. These compounds have long been known for their immune-boosting properties.
 
However, the recent study led by Professor Maziar Divangahi and his team provides new insights into how beta-glucans interact with the immune system to prevent severe flu complications.
 
The study focused on the role of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that serves as the first line of defense against infections. Neutrophils are typically responsible for fighting pathogens, but an overactive response can lead to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. The researchers discovered that beta-glucans can ‘reprogram’ neutrophils, shifting them from their usual pro-inflammatory role to a more regulated, protective function. This transformation allows the body to fight the virus more effectively while preventing lung damage, which is a leading cause of flu-related deaths.
 
The Study’s Key Findings
The research team conducted preclinical trials using mice to evaluate the effects of beta-glucan treatment. The results were striking:
 
-Reduced Lung Damage: Mice that received beta-glucan treatment before being exposed to the influenza A virus showed significantly lower levels of lung inflammation and tissue damage compared to untreated mice.
 
-Improved Survival Rates: The treated mice had a higher survival rate than those that did not receive beta-glucans, even when exposed to lethal doses of the virus.
 
-Enhanced Immune Regulation: Beta-glucans pr omoted the production of regulatory neutrophils, which helped maintain immune balance and prevent excessive inflammatory responses.
 
One of the most significant findings was that beta-glucans influenced hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow, leading to the production of neutrophils with enhanced regulatory properties. This process was found to be dependent on type I interferon signaling, a key mechanism in antiviral defense.
 
The Role of Disease Tolerance in Flu Protection
Traditionally, flu treatments have focused on antiviral drugs that inhibit viral replication. However, the study’s findings suggest that targeting the immune system’s response to infection - rather than the virus itself - may offer a novel and effective approach to flu prevention and treatment. By reprogramming neutrophils to adopt a regulatory function, beta-glucans help the body maintain lung tissue integrity and prevent severe complications without necessarily reducing the viral load.
 
This approach aligns with the broader concept of disease tolerance, an evolutionary strategy that allows the body to withstand infections while minimizing damage to vital organs. The ability to enhance disease tolerance could be particularly useful in cases where antiviral drugs are ineffective or when new flu strains emerge that are resistant to existing treatments.
 
How Beta-Glucans Work at the Cellular Level
The study also explored the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind beta-glucan’s immune-modulating effects. The researchers found that:
 
-Beta-glucans promote granulopoiesis, a process that enhances the production of neutrophils in the bone marrow.
 
-Reprogrammed neutrophils exhibit an immature phenotype, making them less prone to causing harmful inflammation.
 
-These regulatory neutrophils rely on oxidative metabolism, rather than glycolysis, for energy production, which contributes to their enhanced function in controlling inflammation.
 
By altering the metabolic programming of neutrophils, beta-glucans effectively transform them into protective cells that can mitigate the damaging effects of excessive immune responses.
 
Potential Implications for Future Flu Treatments
The study’s findings have far-reaching implications for the development of new flu therapies. If similar effects are observed in human trials, beta-glucans could become an important component of flu prevention and treatment strategies. Some key potential applications include:
 
-Dietary Supplements: Consuming beta-glucan-rich foods such as mushrooms, oats, and barley may offer a natural way to strengthen immune defenses against flu.
 
-Pharmaceutical Interventions: Beta-glucan-based drugs or immune-boosting treatments could be developed to enhance disease tolerance in individuals at high risk of severe flu complications.
 
-Combination Therapies: Beta-glucans could be used alongside antiviral medications to provide a dual approach - limiting viral replication while simultaneously preventing immune overreaction.
 
Conclusion
The discovery that beta-glucans can reprogram neutrophils to combat influenza A viruses represents a significant advancement in flu research. Unlike conventional treatments that focus solely on eliminating the virus, this approach offers a way to enhance the body’s natural defense mechanisms while preventing dangerous inflammatory responses. The study provides strong evidence that beta-glucans could serve as a valuable tool in reducing the severity of flu infections and improving survival rates.
 
Further research, including human clinical trials, will be necessary to fully understand the potential of beta-glucans in flu treatment. However, the study’s findings suggest that this natural compound, readily available in mushrooms and other foods, could play a crucial role in future flu prevention strategies.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Nature Immunology.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-024-02041-2
 
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