A groundbreaking Canadian study reveals that beta-glucan - a component found in all fungi, including mushrooms, yeast, and grains like oats and barley - can effectively reprogram immune cells to reduce flu-related lung inflammation. Conducted by scientists at the McGill University Health Centre, the preclinical research showed that administering beta-glucan prior to influenza exposure decreased lung damage, improved function, and increased survival rates.
Published in Nature Immunology, the study shifts focus from blocking viral replication to enhancing “disease tolerance” - a strategy that modulates the body’s immune response rather than directly targeting the virus. Researchers discovered that beta-glucan alters the behavior of neutrophils, immune cells typically linked with inflammation, enabling them to limit harmful overreactions in the lungs. They also note that beta-glucan‘s presence in the human microbiome could influence individual immune responses.
As concerns over bird flu (H5N1), seasonal influenza and other infections persist, these findings offer a promising path toward new, immune-focused treatments for viral respiratory illnesses. The team plans to explore its potential in human therapies, emphasizing the urgency of developing effective respiratory disease treatments.