Beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods

Abstract

Described herein are beta-glucan compounds, compositions, and methods. Generally, the methods exploit the observation that beta-glucan compounds can bind to B cells. Thus, the methods generally include administering a beta-glucan compound to a subject in an amount effective for the beta-glucan compound to bind to a B cell and modulate at least one biological function of the B cell.

1 . A method comprising:
 administering to a subject an amount of a β-glucan compound effective to bind to B cells and modulate at least one biological function of the B cells, the composition comprising:   a β-glucan moiety; and   an active moiety coupled to the β-glucan moiety, the active moiety comprising a danger-associated molecular pattern.   
     
     
         2 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the β-glucan moiety comprises a soluble β-glucan or a particulate β-glucan. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the β-glucan moiety comprises a derivatized β-glucan. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the β-glucan moiety is isolated from yeast. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the yeast comprises  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the danger-associated molecular pattern comprises a heat-shock protein, high-mobility group box 1 protein, a protein generated following tissue injury, a hyaluronan fragment, ATP, uric acid, heparin sulfate or DNA. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through a covalent linkage. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through an affinity linkage. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one biological function of the B cells comprises making an immunoglobulin involved in cancer therapy. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1  wherein modulating at least one biological function of the B cells comprises making an immunoglobulin involved in infectious disease treatment. 
     
     
         28 . A β-glucan compound comprising:
 a β-glucan moiety; and 
 an active moiety coupled to the β-glucan moiety, the active moiety comprising a danger-associated molecular pattern. 
 
     
     
         29 . The β-glucan compound of  claim 28  wherein the active moiety comprises a heat-shock protein, high-mobility group box 1 protein, a protein generated following tissue injury, a hyaluronan fragment, ATP, uric acid, heparin sulfate or DNA. 
     
     
         30 . The β-glucan moiety of  claim 28  wherein the β-glucan moiety is isolated from yeast. 
     
     
         31 . The β-glucan moiety of  claim 30  wherein the yeast comprises  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         32 . The β-glucan moiety of  claim 28  wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through a covalent linkage or an affinity linkage. 
     
     
         33 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising:
 a β-glucan compound comprising:
 a β-glucan moiety; and 
 an active moiety coupled to the β-glucan moiety, the active moiety comprising a danger-associated molecular pattern; and 
   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         34 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 33  wherein the active moiety comprises a heat-shock protein, high-mobility group box 1 protein, a protein generated following tissue injury, a hyaluronan fragment, ATP, uric acid, heparin sulfate or DNA. 
     
     
         35 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 33  wherein the β-glucan moiety is isolated from yeast. 
     
     
         36 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 35  wherein the yeast comprises  Saccharomyces cerevisiae.    
     
     
         37 . The pharmaceutical composition of  claim 33  wherein the β-glucan moiety and the active moiety are coupled through a covalent linkage or an affinity linkage.