SKU: Z001  / 
    CAS Number: 58856-93-2

    Zymosan A

    $97.00 - $261.00

    Zymosan A is a polysaccharide compound (13 beta glucan) ligand found on the surface of various fungi. Zymosan A has been found to bind to Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), a surface membrane receptor protein responsible for recognizing bacterial, viral, and fungal substances. Upon stimulation, TLLR2 initates a signaling cascade which leads to specific immune responses.  Zymosan A can be used to study cytokine secretion and other immunologic properties in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). 

    Zymosan can be used to induce a state of inflammation in experimental systems.  It can be used in immunology and inflammation research using flow cytometry.  Uptake of Zymosan offers a rapid, simple asay of phagocytic activity.

    Zymosan A is insoluble in water.

    Mechanism of Action Zymosan A binds to and stimulates TLR2 (Toll-like receptor 2), a surface protein responsible for recognizing foreign substances such as cell wall components in pathogenic bacteria. Upon stimulation, TLR2 initiates a signaling cascade which eventually leads to specific immune responses.  Zymosan induces proinflammatory cytokines, arachidonate mobilization, protein phosphorylation, and inositol phosphate formation in macrophages.
    Molecular Formula (C6H10O5)x
    Microbiology Applications Studies have shown that Zymosan can be an immunological adjuvant in DNA vaccination against HIV-1. It enhances helper T cell (Th) 1-mediated immunity. The mechanism of this enhancement was studied in a murine model. The effect is hypothesized to be based on the consequences of its recruitment and activation of macrophages, dendritic cells, or antigen-presenting cells (APC) through complement activation (Ara et al, 2001).
    Eukaryotic Cell Culture Applications Much of our understanding of the specific mediators and cell types involved in acute inflammation has come from sterile peritonitis models.
    Cancer Research Applications

    M (IL-4) macrophages treated with Zymosan showd enhanced production of chemo-attractants, like CCL3, CCL4, and DXCL8 which contribute to recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils.  The yeast-derived zymosan have the unique ability to preferentially skew macrophages towards a chemo-attractant-producing phenotype that may help in anti-cancer immune responses.

    The attachment of Zymosan A and both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to tumor cells was done as part of a study to use killed microorganism to stimulate immunity in cancer immunotherapy . These complex particles offered the possibility to stimulate both signalling receptors (TLR, NLR and others) and phagocytic receptors. Zymosan A anchored to melanoma cells revealed strong synergy with LPS, leading to the shrinkage of tumors and their temporary or permanent elimination (Waldmannová et al, 2016).

    References

    Ara Y et al (2001) Zymosan enhances the immune response to DNA vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus ty Immunology, 103: 1365-2567

    Cash JL, White GE and Greaves DR (2009) Zymosan induced perionitis as a simple experimental system for the study of inflammation. In: Methods in Enzymology. Academic Press 461:379-396

    Dillon S (2006)  Yeast Zymosan, a stimulus for TLR2 and dectin-1, induces regulatory antigen-presenting cells and immunological tolerance.  J. Clin. Investig. 116(4):916-928

    Gantner BN et al (2003) Collaborative induction of inflammatory responses by dectin-1 and Toll-like receptor 2. J Exp Med. 197(9):1107-17

    Ozinsky A et al (2000) The repertoire for pattern recognition of pathogens by the innate immune system is defined by cooperation between toll-like receptors. PNAS. 97(25):13766-71

    Venkatachalam G, Arumugam S, Doble M (2020) Synthesis, characterization, and biological activity of aminated Zymosan. ACS Omega. 5(26):15973-1598 PMID 32656418

    Waldmannová E et al (2016) The use of Zymosan A and bacteria anchored to tumor cells for effective cancer immunotherapy: B16-F10 murine melanoma model. Intl. Immunopharmacol. 39:295-306

    Wang L  et al (2013)  Insulin resistance induced by Zymosan as a new animal model in mice.  Horm. Metab. Res. 45(10):736-740