Lacto-N-fucopentaose III (LNFPIII) is a polylactosamine sugar, predominant carbohydrate found in S. mansoni egg Ag. Lewis type carbohydrate LNFPIII can function as an adjuvant by their ability to induce a Th2 response (PMID:11418681). LNFPIII/LeX is also expressed by immunosuppressive helminth parasites, by bacteria, and on a number of tumor/cancer cells. According to Atochina et al., LNFPIII-stimulated macrophages secrete prostaglandin E(2), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) but a very low level of IL-12. Interestingly, addition of anti-TNF-alpha, anti-IL-10, or anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibodies did not significantly alter NK cell activity. It shows that soluble mediators are not critical for LNFPIII-stimulated macrophage activation of NK cells and provide further evidence for the importance of cell-cell contact and CD40-CD40L interactions between macrophages and NK cells. (PMID:16148169).
belongs to the class of organic compounds known as oligosaccharides. These are carbohydrates made up of 3 to 10 monosaccharide units linked to each other through glycosidic bonds.
