| abstract |
A microparticulate beta-glucan is used as a vaccine adjuvant for animals and humans, binding to glucan receptors on a variety of phagocytic cells to enhance their immunological functions. The particles contain about 1-10% partially deacetylated N-acetylglucosamine and are predominantly 0.3-3 microns in diameter, preferably 1-2 microns in diameter, to cause the expression of co-stimulatory molecules on antigen presenting cells (APC's). n The microparticle upregulates the expression of the co-stimulatory molecule B7, based upon such microparticles containing beta-(1,3) and beta(1,6) glucan. |