Adjuvant effects of Sophy β-glucan on H5N1 and H5N2 vaccination using a mouse model

Abstract

Sophy β-glucan, a type of β-1,3-1,6 glucan produced by a black yeast Aureobasidium pollulans strain AF0-202, is currently approved for use as a health food supplement. The new genotypic avian influenza H5N1 is one of the major emerging infectious diseases causing concern and loss in Vietnam, Asian and several European countries during the 2003-2008 period. We examined the effect of Sophy β-glucan on the immune response against the new H5N1 vaccine made in Vietnam⁄China and H5N2 made in China. As a result, both H5N1 and H5N2 vaccines elicited a significantly high immune response with Sophy β-glucan supplied in drinking water in all the mice tested (2-3 log2 higher HI titer). These vaccines also elicitated ELISA positivity (ELISA (+): seroconversion) 10-20% higher than those used in groups vaccinated without Sophy β-glucan. We conclude that Sophy β-glucan showed an excellent adjuvant effect on H5N1 and H5N2 vaccinations in a mouse model.