Polysaccharide A Explained
Polysaccharide A (PSA) is a polysaccharide produced by the Gram-negative bacterium Bacteroides fragilis.[1] B.fragilis produces eight identified distinct capsular polysaccharides, identified by the letters "A" through "H".[2]
PSA colonization of B. fragilis in the gut mucosa induces regulatory T cells and suppresses pro-inflammatory T helper 17 cells. PSA has been shown to protect animals from experimental diseases like colitis, asthma, or pulmonary inflammation. Nonetheless, PSA can be pro-inflammatory as well as anti-inflammatory.[3]
Notes and References
- Sun F, Zhang Q, Chen W . A potential species of next-generation probiotics? The dark and light sides of Bacteroides fragilis in health . . 126 . 108590 . 2019 . 10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108590 . 31732047. 201203450 .
- Erturk-Hasdemir D, Ochoa-Repáraz J, Kasper DL, Kasper LH . Exploring the Gut-Brain Axis for the Control of CNS Inflammatory Demyelination: Immunomodulation by Bacteroides fragilis' Polysaccharide A . . 12 . 662807 . 2021 . 10.3389/fimmu.2021.662807 . 8131524 . 34025663 . free .
- Alvarez CA, Jones MB, Hambor J, Cobb BA . Characterization of Polysaccharide A Response Reveals Interferon Responsive Gene Signature and Immunomodulatory Marker Expression . . 11 . 556813 . 2020 . 10.3389/fimmu.2020.556813 . 7649347 . 33193325 . free .