Role of anti-β-glucan antibody in host defense against fungi

We have recently detected an anti-β-glucan antibody in normal human and normal mouse sera. The anti-β-glucan antibody showed reactivity to pathogenic fungal Aspergillus and Candida cell wall glucan. Anti-β-glucan antibody could bind whole Candida cells. It also enhanced the candidacidal activity of macrophages in vitro. The anti-β-glucan antibody titer of DBA/2 mice intravenously administered either Candida or Aspergillus solubilized cell wall β-glucan decreased remarkably dependent on dose. Moreover, in deep mycosis patients, the anti-β-glucan antibody titer decreased, and this change correlated with clinical symptoms and other parameters such as C-reactive protein. It was suggested that the anti-β-glucan antibody formed an antigen–antibody complex and participated in the immune response as a molecule recognizing pathogenic fungi.