2012 Volume 18 Issue 3 Pages 481-484
We found that a wheat bran arabinoxylan (WBA) activates the phagocytosis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-differentiated HL60 cells; however, its mechanism was unknown. Hence, we investigated the molecular mechanism involved in the WBA-induced increase of immunostimulating activity using inhibitors. The results indicated that the WBA-induced increases in phagocytic activity and IL-1β production were inhibited by cathepsin B and caspase-1 inhibitor. Moreover, IL-1β production was inhibited by a phagocytosis inhibitor.