Six Weeks of Baker’s Yeast β-Glucan Supplementation Reveals Unique Immune Maturation mRNA Signature: Implications for Immunity?

Baker’s yeast beta-glucan (BYBG) supplementation improves various aspects of immune system function, readiness, and response. The purpose of this study was to determine if the expression of immune maturation mRNA was also changed over the course of 6 weeks of BYBG supplementation at rest. In this exploratory study, a small group of participants (N = 20) were randomized into two groups: BYBG (weeks 0–2 = 50 mg/d; 2–4 = 125 mg/d; and 4–6 = 250 mg/d) or placebo. Blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks and analyzed for the expression of 785 mRNA (NanoString nCounter platform and Nanotube software; R v3.3.2). A total of 42 mRNAs in 21 annotated pathways (antigen presentation, apoptosis, B cell memory, cell cycle, chemokine signaling, cytotoxicity, DAP12 signaling, hypoxia response, IL-1 signaling, IL-10 signaling, MAPK signaling, myeloid immune response, NF-kB signaling, NK activity, Notch Signaling, PD1 signaling, Senescence/Quiescence, T cell checkpoint signaling, TCR signaling, TLR signaling, and TNF signaling), were significantly affected by BYBG at various time points. It is reasonable to speculate that the observed mRNA and associated pathways may underlie previously reported improvements in immune function with BYBG.