Glucan polysaccharides isolated from Lactarius hatsudake Tanaka mushroom: Structural characterization and in vitro bioactivities.

Commercially available mushroom polysaccharides have found widespread use as adjuvant tumor treatments. However, the bioactivity of polysaccharides in Lactarius hatsudake Tanaka (L. hatsudake), a mushroom with both edible and medicinal uses, remains relatively unexplored. To address this gap, five L. hatsudake polysaccharides with varying molecular weights were isolated, named LHP-1 (898 kDa), LHP-2 (677 kDa), LHP-3 (385 kDa), LHP-4 (20 kDa), and LHP-5 (4.9 kDa). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and atomic force microscopy, etc., were employed to determine their structural characteristics. The results confirmed that spherical aggregates with amorphous flexible fiber chains dominated the conformation of the LHP. LHP-1 and LHP-2 were identified as glucans with α-(1,4)-Glcp as the main chain; LHP-3 and LHP-4 were classified as galactans with varying molecular weights but with α-(1,6)-Galp as the main chain; LHP-5 was a glucan with ß-(1,3)-Glcp as the main chain and ß-(1,6)-Glcp connecting to the side chains. Significant differences were observed in inhibiting tumor cell cytotoxicity and the antioxidant activity of the LHPs, with LHP-5 and LHP-4 identified as the principal bioactive components. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the valuable use of L. hatsudake and emphasize the potential application of LHPs in therapeutic tumor treatments.

Anti-Photodamage Effect of Agaricus blazei Murill Polysaccharide on UVB-Damaged HaCaT Cells.

UVB radiation is known to induce photodamage to the skin, disrupt the skin barrier, elicit cutaneous inflammation, and accelerate the aging process. Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) is an edible medicinal and nutritional fungus. One of its constituents, Agaricus blazei Murill polysaccharide (ABP), has been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects, which suggests potential effects that protect against photodamage. In this study, a UVB-induced photodamage HaCaT model was established to investigate the potential reparative effects of ABP and its two constituents (A1 and A2). Firstly, two purified polysaccharides, A1 and A2, were obtained by DEAE-52 cellulose column chromatography, and their physical properties and chemical structures were studied. A1 and A2 exhibited a network-like microstructure, with molecular weights of 1.5 × 104 Da and 6.5 × 104 Da, respectively. The effects of A1 and A2 on cell proliferation, the mitochondrial membrane potential, and inflammatory factors were also explored. The results show that A1 and A2 significantly promoted cell proliferation, enhanced the mitochondrial membrane potential, suppressed the expression of inflammatory factors interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and increased the relative content of filaggrin (FLG) and aquaporin-3 (AQP3). The down-regulated JAK-STAT signaling pathway was found to play a role in the response to photodamage. These findings underscore the potential of ABP to ameliorate UVB-induced skin damage.

The function and application of edible fungal polysaccharides.

Edible fungi, commonly known as mushrooms, are precious medicinal and edible homologous gifts from nature to us. Edible fungal polysaccharides (EFPs) are a variety of bioactive macromolecular which isolated from fruiting bodies, mycelia or fermentation broths of edible or medicinal fungus. Increasing researches have confirmed that EFPs possess multiple biological activities both in vitro and in vivo settings, including antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and regulating intestinal flora activities. As a result, they have emerged as a prominent focus in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Fungal EFPs have safe, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible properties with low immunogenicity, bioadhesion ability, and antibacterial activities, presenting diverse potential applications in the food industries, cosmetic, biomedical, packaging, and new materials. Moreover, varying raw materials, extraction, purification, chemical modification methods, and culture conditions can result in variances in the structure and biological activities of EFPs. The purpose of this review is to provide comprehensively and systematically organized information on the structure, modification, biological activities, and potential applications of EFPs to support their therapeutic effects and health functions. This review provides new insights and a theoretical basis for prospective investigations and advancements in EFPs in fields such as medicine, food, and new materials.

Lentinus edodes mycelium polysaccharide inhibits AGEs-induced HUVECs pyroptosis by regulating LncRNA MALAT1/miR-199b/mTOR axis and NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

A novel Lentinus edodes mycelia polysaccharide (LMP) prepared in our laboratory has been identified to be effective in inhibiting the damage of islet ß cells induced by glucose toxicity. However, whether it can effectively alleviate the pyroptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) remains unclear. Bioinformatics and cell biology techniques were used to explore the mechanism of LMP inhibiting AGEs-induced HUVECs damage. The results indicated that AGEs significantly increased the expression of LncRNA MALAT1, decreased cell viability to 79.67 %, increased intracellular ROS level to 248.19 % compared with the control group, which further led to cell membrane rupture. The release of LDH in cellular supernatant was increased to 149.42 %, and the rate of propidium iodide staining positive cells increased to 277.19 %, indicating the cell pyroptosis occurred. However, the above trend was effectively retrieved after the treatment with LMP. LMP effectively decreased the expression of LncRNA MALAT1 and mTOR, promoted the expression of miR-199b, inhibited AGEs-induced HUVECs pyroptosis by regulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway. LncRNA MALAT1 might be a new target for LMP to inhibit AGEs-induced HUVECs pyroptosis. This study manifested the role of LMP in improving diabetes angiopathy and broadens the application of polysaccharide.

Ganoderma lucidum: Multifaceted mechanisms to combat diabetes through polysaccharides and triterpenoids: A comprehensive review.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder. Diabetes complications can affect many organs and systems in the body. Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) contains various compounds that have been studied for their potential antidiabetic effects, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids (ganoderic acids, ganoderol B), proteoglycans, and G. lucidum extracts. G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLPs) and triterpenoids have been shown to act through distinct mechanisms, such as improving glucose metabolism, modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) system, inhibiting the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and protecting the pancreatic beta cells. While GLPs exhibit a significant role in controlling diabetic nephropathy and other associated complications. This review states the G. lucidum antidiabetic mechanisms of action and potential biologically active compounds that contribute to diabetes management and associated complications. To make G. lucidum an appropriate replacement for the treatment of diabetes with fewer side effects, more study is required to completely comprehend the number of physiologically active compounds present in it as well as the underlying cellular mechanisms that influence their effects on diabetes.

Elucidation of antioxidant activities of intracellular and extracellular polysaccharides from Cordyceps militaris in vitro and their protective effects on ulcerative colitis in vivo.

In this study, we extracted the polysaccharides from C. militaris fruiting bodies (CFIPs), mycelial intracellular polysaccharides (CMIPs), and fermentation broth extracellular polysaccharides (CFEPs) to investigate their physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacities, and effects on oxazolone-induced zebrafish ulcerative colitis (UC). Our results revealed differences in monosaccharide composition and surface structure among CFIPs, CMIPs, and CFEPs. The molar ratios of glucose to mannose in CFIPs, glucose to xylose in CMIPs, and xylose to glucose in CFEPs were 7.57: 1.6, 7.26: 1.81, and 5.44: 2.98 respectively. Moreover, CFEPs exhibited significantly (p < 0.05) higher chemical antioxidant capacity compared to CMIPs and CFIPs. Surprisingly, CFEP treatment didn't show a significant effect in protecting against H2O2-induced oxidative damage in RAW 264.7 cells. After 3 d of treatment, the levels of ROS, MDA, and MPO in the CFIPs group exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) reduction by 37.82 %, 68.15 %, and 22.77 % respectively. Additionally, the ACP and AKP increased by 60.33 % and 96.99 %. Additionally, C. militaris polysaccharides (CMPs) were found to effectively improve UC by activating the MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo. These findings confirm the distinct physicochemical properties of these three types of CMP and their potential for development into antioxidant-rich anti-inflammatory health foods.

Research progress and future development potential of Flammulina velutipes polysaccharides in the preparation process, structure analysis, biology, and pharmacology: A review.

In recent years, Flammulina velutipes (F. velutipes) has attracted consequential attention in various research fields due to its rich composition of proteins, vitamins, amino acids, polysaccharides, and polyphenols. F. velutipes polysaccharides (FVPs) are considered as key bioactive components of F. velutipes, demonstrating multiple physiological activities, including immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Moreover, they offer health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-aging properties, which have exceptionally valuable clinical applications. Polysaccharides derived from different sources exhibit a wide range of biomedical functions and distinct biological activities. The varied biological functions of polysaccharides, coupled with their extensive application in functional foods and clinical applications, have prompted a heightened focus on polysaccharide research. Additionally, the extraction, deproteinization, and purification of FVPs are fundamental to investigate the structure and biological activities of polysaccharides. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of the extraction, deproteinization, purification, characterization, and structural elucidation of FVPs. Furthermore, the biological activities and mechanisms of FVPs have been further explored through in vivo and in vitro experiments. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation and guide future research and development of FVPs.

An antitumor fungal polysaccharide from Fomitopsis officinalis by activating immunity and inhibiting angiogenesis.

Macrofungi, a class of unique natural resources, are gaining popularity owing to their potential therapeutic benefits and edibility. From Fomitopsis officinalis, a medicinal macrofungus with anticancer activity, a homogeneous heteropolysaccharide (FOBP50-1) with a molecular weight of 2.21 × 104 g/mol has been extracted and purified. FOBP50-1 was found to be composed of 3-O-methylfucose, fucose, mannose, glucose, and galactose with a ratio of 1: 6.5: 4.4: 8.1: 18.2. The sugar fragments and structure of FOBP50-1 were investigated, which included →6)-α-d-Galp-(1→, →2,6)-α-d-Galp-(1→, →3)-α-l-Fucp-(1→, α-d-Glcp-(1→, →3)-ß-d-Manp-(1→, →6)-ß-d-Manp-(1→, 3-O-Me-α-l-Fucp-(1→, according to the UV, FT-IR, GC-MS, and NMR data. Besides the structure elucidation, FOBP50-1 showed promising antitumor activity in the zebrafish assays. The following mechanism examination discovered that FOBP50-1 interacted with TLR-4, PD-1, and VEGF to activate immunity and inhibit angiogenesis according to a series of cell, transgenic zebrafish, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments. The KD values indicating the association of FOBP50-1 with TLR-4, PD-1, and VEGF, were 4.69 × 10-5, 7.98 × 10-6, 3.04 × 10-6 M, respectively, in the SPR experiments. All investigations have demonstrated that the homogenous fungal polysaccharide FOBP50-1 has the potential to be turned into a tumor immunotherapy agent.

Structural characterization of the polysaccharide from the black crystal region of Inonotus obliquus and its effect on AsPC-1 and SW1990 pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis.

In this study, one water soluble polysaccharide (IOP1-1) with a weight average molecular weight of 6886 Da was obtained from the black crystal region of Inonotus obliquus by hot water extraction, DEAE-52 cellulose extraction and Sephadex-100 column chromatography purification. Structural analysis indicated that IOP1-1 was a glucan with a main chain composed of α-Glcp-(1 â†’ 4)-α-Glcp-(1 â†’ 4)-ß-Glcp-(1 â†’ 4)-ß-Glcp-(1 â†’ 4)-α-Glcp-(1 â†’ 6)-ß-Glcp-(1 â†’ 4)-α-Glcp-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-Glcp-(1→. The CCK-8 assay results showed that IOP1-1 inhibited AsPC-1 and SW1990 pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that IOP1-1 induced cell cycle arrest in AsPC-1 and SW1990 cells. Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining analysis showed that IOP1-1 could induce apoptosis in AsPC-1 and SW1990 cells. Furthermore, western blot analysis confirmed that IOP1-1 could induce apoptosis in AsPC-1 and SW1990 pancreatic cancer cells through three pathways: the mitochondrial pathway, the death receptor pathway, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. According to these research data, IOP1-1 may be utilized as an adjuvant treatment to anticancer medications, opening up new application prospects and opportunities.

Polysaccharides from an edible mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, alleviate ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasomes and reestablish intestinal homeostasis.

This study aimed to assess the effects of polysaccharides extracted from Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies (HEFPs) on the inflammatory response to oxidative stress in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by ingestion of dextran sodium sulfate. The results indicated reduced oxidative damage in the HEFPs groups, as evidenced by significantly decreased malondialdehyde levels and significantly increased levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase in colon homogenates, compared with those in the Model Control (MC) group. Additionally, compared with the levels in the MC group, the levels of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α in the positive-control (PC) and HEFPs groups were significantly lower, and that of the anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was significantly higher. qRT-PCR analyses revealed that the colon expression patterns of IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-18 were consistent with the serum levels. Western-blotting results indicated significantly lower levels of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase 1 P20 in the HEFPs and PC groups than in the MC group. These findings suggest that HEFPs alleviate UC by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome/Caspase-1 pathway. Lachnospiraceae, Clostridiales, Parabacteroides, Oscillibacter, and Clostridium XlVa genera were more abundant in the gut microbiota of the HEFPs group than that of the MC group.

Polysaccharide from Boletus aereus ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the MANF/MUC2 signaling and gut microbiota.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by disruptions in the colonic mucus barrier and gut microbiota. In this study, a novel soluble polysaccharide obtained from Boletus aereus (BAP) through water extraction was examined for its structure. The protective effects of BAP on colitis were investigated using a DSS-induced mice model. BAP was found to promote the expression of intestinal mucosal and tight junction proteins, restore the compromised mucus barrier, and suppress the activation of inflammatory signaling. Moreover, BAP reshape the gut microbiota and had a positive impact on the composition of the gut microbiota by reducing inflammation-related microbes. Additionally, BAP decreased cytokine levels through the MANF-BATF2 signaling pathway. Correlation analysis revealed that MANF was negatively correlated with the DAI and the level of cytokines. Furthermore, the depletion of gut microbiota using antibiotic partially inhabited the effect of BAP on the activation of MANF and Muc2, indicating the role of gut microbiota in its protective effect against colitis. In conclusion, BAP had an obvious activation on MANF under gut inflammation. This provides new insights into the prospective use of BAP as a functional food to enhance intestinal health.

Nutritive profile, pharmaceutical potentials, and structural analysis of multifunctional bioactive fungal polysaccharides-A review.

Asian nations have long used edible fungi as food and medicine. Polysaccharides are among the main building units of the cell walls of fungi. Fungal polysaccharides have been documented in the medicinal and industrial sectors as products with a vast array of various biological activities and applications such as antitumor, antioxidant, anticancer, immunomodulation, and antiviral activities, etc. The goal of this review is to give insights into the various biological activities of mushroom polysaccharides and their potential as a medicine for human health. The extraction, purity, and structural analysis of fungal polysaccharides were also reviewed in this work. Also, future prospective, and challenges for fungal polysaccharides in pharmaceutical applications can be found in this review. Overall, this review serves as a valuable resource in exploring the therapeutic potential and applications of fungal polysaccharides. By building upon the existing knowledge base and addressing critical research gaps, researchers can find new opportunities for utilizing fungal polysaccharides as valuable therapeutic agents and functional ingredients in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and biotechnology.

Characteristics of exopolysaccharides from Paecilomyces hepiali and their simulated digestion and fermentation in vitro by human intestinal microbiota.

The metabolic process of polysaccharides in gastrointestinal digestions and the effects of the resulting carbohydrates on the composition of gut microbes are important to explore their prebiotic properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the simulated digestion and fecal fermentation in vitro of three fractions (PHEPSs-1, PHEPSs-2 and PHEPSs-3) purified from the crude exopolysaccharides of Paecilomyces hepiali HN1 (PHEPSs) and to explore the potential prebiotic mechanisms. The three purified fractions were characterized by HPLC, UV, FT-IR, SEM and AFM, and they were all of galactoglucomannan family with molecular weight of 178, 232 and 119 kDa, respectively. They could resist the simulated gastrointestinal digestions, but they were metabolized in fecal fermentation in vitro. Furthermore, the mannose in PHEPSs showed a higher utilization rate than that of glucose or galactose. The proliferation effects of PHEPSs on Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were weaker significantly than those of fructooligosaccharides before 12 h of fecal fermentation, but stronger after 24 h of fecal fermentation. Meanwhile, higher levels of short-chain fatty acids were found in PHEPSs groups when the fecal fermentation extended to 36 h. Therefore, PHEPSs are expected to have a potent gut healthy activity and can be explored as functional food ingredients.

Structural characterization and immunomodulatory activity of a water-soluble polysaccharide from Poria cocos.

In order to investigate the structural characteristics and immunomodulatory effects of Poria cocos polysaccharides, a water-soluble homogeneous polysaccharide (PCP-2) was isolated by water extraction and alcohol precipitation and further purified by Cellulose DEAE-52 and Sephacryl S-100HR column chromatography. PCP-2 is a heteropolysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, and fucose in a molar ratio of 42.0: 35.0: 13.9: 9.1. It exhibits a narrow molecular weight distribution at 2.35 kDa with a branching degree of 37.1 %. The main chain types of PCP-2 include 1,3-ß-D-Glc and 1,6-ß-D-Glc as the backbone glucans and 1,6-α-D-Gal as the backbone heterogalactan. In vitro experiments demonstrate that PCP-2 directly stimulate RAW264.7 cell proliferation and secretion of inflammatory factors such as NO and TNF-α. In cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced mice, it promotes the development of thymus and spleen immune organs, elevates the blood levels of IgG, IgA, IgM and CD3+CD4+ T cells, increases the intestinal villus height/ crypt depth ratio and improves gut barrier dysfunctions. These findings suggest that PCP-2 is a natural fungal polysaccharide with broad spectrum of immunoenhancing effects, which can significantly ameliorate the immunocompromised state.

Chemical structures, extraction and analysis technologies, and bioactivities of edible fungal polysaccharides from Poria cocos: An updated review.

Poria cocos is a popular medicinal food. Polysaccharides are the key component of Poria cocos, forming 70-90 % of the dry sclerotia mass. Recent studies indicate that Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP-Cs) have multiple beneficial functions and applications. A literature search was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed databases. For this review, we provided an updated research progress in chemical structures, various extraction and analysis technologies, bioactivities of PCP-Cs, and insights into the directions for future research. The main polysaccharides identified in Poria cocos are water-soluble polysaccharides and acidic polysaccharides. Hot water, alkali, supercritical fluid, ultrasonic, enzyme, and deep eutectic solvent-based methods are the most common methods for PCP-Cs extraction. Technologies such as near-infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, are commonly used to evaluate the qualities of PCP-Cs. In addition, PCP-Cs have antioxidant, immunomodulatory, neuroregulatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and gut microbiota regulatory properties. Future research is needed to focus on scaling up extraction, enhancing quality control, elucidating mechanisms of bioactivities, and the utilisation of PCP-Cs in food industries. Overall, Poria cocos is a good source of edible fungi polysaccharides, which can be developed into functional foods with potential health benefits.

Grifola frondosa polysaccharides: A review on structure/activity, biosynthesis and engineering strategies.

Polysaccharides are the main polymers in edible fungi Grifola frondosa, playing a crucial role in the physiology and representing the healthy benefits for humans. Recent efforts have well elucidated the fine structures and biological functions of G. frondosa polysaccharides. The recently-rapid developments and increasing availability in fungal genomes also accelerated the better understanding of key genes and pathways involved in biosynthesis of G. frondosa polysaccharides. Herein, we provide a brief overview of G. frondosa polysaccharides and their activities, and comprehensively outline the complex process, genes and proteins corresponding to G. frondosa polysaccharide biosynthesis. The regulation strategies including strain improvement, process optimization and genetic engineering were also summarized for maximum production of G. frondosa polysaccharides. Some remaining unanswered questions in describing the fine synthesis machinery were also pointed out to open up new avenues for answering the structure-activity relationship and improving polysaccharide biosynthesis in G. frondosa. The review hopefully presents a reasonable full picture of activities, biosynthesis, and production regulation of polysaccharide in G. frondosa.

Identification and Quantification of Monosaccharides from Fungal Cell Walls and Exopolysaccharides by Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry.

The fungal cell wall and secreted exopolysaccharides play an important role in the interactions between fungi and their environment. Despite their central role in fungal biology, ecology, and host-pathogen interactions, the composition of these polymers and their synthetic pathways are not well understood. The protocols presented in this article describe an approach to isolate fungal cell wall polysaccharides and to identify and quantify the monosaccharide composition of these polymers by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: O-methyl trimethylsilyl monosaccharide derivatives composition analysis by GC-MS Support Protocol: Fungal cell wall extraction.

Mycelial biomass and intracellular polysaccharides production, characterization, and activities in Auricularia auricula-judae cultured with different carbon sources.

The carbon source, an essential factor for submerged culture, affects fungal polysaccharides production, structures, and activities. This study investigated the impact of carbon sources, including glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mannose, on mycelial biomass and the production, structural characterization, and bioactivities of intracellular polysaccharides (IPS) produced by submerged culture of Auricularia auricula-judae. Results showed that mycelial biomass and IPS production varied with different carbon sources, where using glucose as the carbon source produced the highest mycelial biomass (17.22 ± 0.29 g/L) and IPS (1.62 ± 0.04 g/L). Additionally, carbon sources were found to affect the molecular weight (Mw) distributions, monosaccharide compositions, structural characterization, and activities of IPSs. IPS produced with glucose as the carbon source exhibited the best in vitro antioxidant activities and had the strongest protection against alloxan-damaged islet cells. Correlation analysis revealed that Mw correlated positively with mycelial biomass (r = 0.97) and IPS yield (r = 1.00), while IPS antioxidant activities correlated positively with Mw and negatively with mannose content; the protective activity of IPS was positively related to its reducing power. These findings indicate a critical structure-function relationship for IPS and lay the foundation for utilizing liquid-fermented A. aruicula-judae mycelia and the IPS in functional food production.

Structural characterization and immunomodulatory activity of an exopolysaccharide from marine-derived Aspergillus versicolor SCAU141.

Until now, relatively little is known about marine-derived fungal polysaccharides and their activities. Exopolysaccharide AVP141-A was isolated from the broth of marine-derived fungus Aspergillus versicolor SCAU141 and purified by Diethylaminoethyl-Sepharose Fast Flow and Sephadex G-100. The structural characteristics of AVP141-A was studied by chemical analysis together with high-performance gel permeation chromatography, ion chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results showed that AVP141-A with the molecular weight of 5.10 kDa was mainly composed of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, branched by α-D-Glcp-(1→ and →6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ at C-6 positions of the glucan backbone. In particular, sulfate ester (approximately 3.62 %) was found in AVP141-A, which was frequently considered to occur in marine-derived microbial polysaccharides rather than other microbial polysaccharides. Furthermore, AVP141-A significantly enhanced the activity of the inflammatory factors NO, COX-2 and TNF-α in RAW264.7 macrophages by activating the MAPK/p38 and NF-κB/p65 pathways. In addition, metabolomic analysis revealed that most of the pathways with significant changes in RAW264.7 macrophages treated with AVP141-A were amino acid-related pathways, and arginine was the characteristic metabolite. In conclusion, this study identified AVP141-A as a marine fungus-derived sulfated exopolysaccharide with potential for development as an immune activator.

Structure and bioactivity of polysaccharide from a subseafloor strain of Schizophyllum commune 20R-7-F01.

Fungal polysaccharide is a kind of biomacromolecule with multiple biological activities, which has a wide application prospect and may play an important role in organisms to cope with extreme environments. Herein, we reported an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by Schizophyllum commune 20R-7-F01 that was isolated from subseafloor sediments at ~2 km below the seafloor, obtained during expedition 337. The monosaccharide of EPS was glucose and its molecular weight was 608.8 kDa. Methylation and NMR analysis indicated that the backbone of the EPS was (1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucan with a side chain (1 â†’ 6) ß-D-glucan linking at every third residue. Bio-active assays revealed that the EPS had potent antioxidant activity and could promote RAW264.7 cells viability and phagocytosis. These results suggest that fungi derived from sediments below seafloor are important and new source of polysaccharides and may be involved in the adaptation of fungi to anoxic subseafloor extreme ecosystem.