An investigation of the cellular uptake and mechanisms of action of MGN-3 on inflammatory processes

The alarming rate at which pathogens are becoming resistant to conventional therapies is a reason for the urgent need to develop alternative strategies to combat bacterial infections. MGN-3 (biobran) was discovered and named after the three scientists: Maeda, Ghoneum and Ninomiya. It is an enzymatically modified rice bran arabinoxylan, which can enhance the host immune system by mediating macrophage function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MGN-3 on the clearance of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by human U937 macrophages. The uptake of MGN-3 by U937 macrophages was measured by a phloroglucinol colorimetric assay and visualised by confocal microscopy. An in vitro host-pathogen assay (n=24) was performed following exposure of macrophages to MGN-3 (0.5 to 2.0 mg/ml) and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 1.0 μg/ml or 5.0 μg/ml for 24 hours. The assay was repeated in the presence of receptor inhibitors, to identify potential molecular mechanisms of action. Bacterial internalisation by U937 macrophages was visualised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study demonstrated approximately 29% of total available MGN-3 was taken up by U937 macrophages. There was a significant (P