Aureobasidium pullulans culture supernatant significantly stimulates R-848-activated phagocytosis of PMA-induced THP-1 macrophages

In THP-1-derived macrophages, co-treatment with R-848 and Aureobasidium pullulans culture supernatant increased TNF-alpha and IL-12p40 expression compared with R-848 alone and enhanced uptake of apoptotic Jurkat cells in the assay. The study indicates interaction between signals from an endosomal Toll-like receptor and components of the culture supernatant. It was an in-vitro experiment using a mixed cultured fluid, so the findings cannot be attributed solely to beta-glucan or translated directly into a human health effect.