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A recent study suggests that beta-glucan, a component found in all fungi, may help safeguard against flu-related lung damage. Conducted by a team led by Maziar Divangahi, a Professor in McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Senior Scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, the research demonstrates that administering beta-glucan to mice before influenza exposure reduced lung damage, improved lung function, and lowered the risk of severe illness and death.
Beta-glucan is naturally present in fungi, including mushrooms and yeast, as well as grains like oats and barley. Researchers found that a unique structural form of beta-glucan can enhance the body’s defense against pathogens by modulating immune responses rather than directly targeting the virus.
A New Approach to Flu Protection
Unlike traditional research that primarily aims to halt viral replication, this study explored “disease tolerance,” a strategy focused on regulating the body’s immune reaction to infections. The findings, published in Nature Immunology, highlight how beta-glucan enhances flu survival rates by preventing excessive lung inflammation, a key factor in severe cases and fatalities.
“It is remarkable how beta-glucan can reprogram certain immune cells, such as neutrophils, to control excessive inflammation in the lung,” said Nargis Khan, the study’s first author and an Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary. Co-first author Kim Tran, who recently completed her Ph.D. at McGill, added that neutrophils, typically associated with inflammation, can have their role shifted by beta-glucan to mitigate lung damage.
Rebalancing the Immune System
The study underscores that most flu-related deaths result from an overactive immune response rather than the virus itself. Researchers believe that beta-glucan’s presence in fungal cell walls, including some fungi within the human microbiome, may influence immune system behavior.
“It is tempting to hypothesize that the levels and composition of fungi in an individual could affect their immune response to infections, partly due to beta-glucan,” Divangahi noted.
With flu season in progress and concerns over bird flu (H5N1) rising, the need for effective therapeutic strategies against respiratory diseases is greater than ever, according to the research team. Further studies will investigate whether beta-glucan’s protective effects in mice can be replicated in humans.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a scientific study and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice or endorsement of any treatment. Individuals should consult healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions.
