Evaluation of the Immunostimulatory Effect of Ulvan Polysaccharide on Human Macrophages: Use as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant

The ulvans are sulfated heteropolysaccharides that can stimulate the immune response in vitro. Using a human cell model, this study aimed to characterize and evaluate the immunostimulatory properties of crude ulvans extracted from <i>Ulva</i> spp., collected in Algarrobo, Chile. The crud...

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Main Authors: Valeska Guevara-Torrejón, Paola Chandía Parra, Carolina Campos-Estrada, Waleska E. Vera Quezada
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Marine Drugs
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/6/248
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author Valeska Guevara-Torrejón
Paola Chandía Parra
Carolina Campos-Estrada
Waleska E. Vera Quezada
author_facet Valeska Guevara-Torrejón
Paola Chandía Parra
Carolina Campos-Estrada
Waleska E. Vera Quezada
author_sort Valeska Guevara-Torrejón
collection DOAJ
description The ulvans are sulfated heteropolysaccharides that can stimulate the immune response in vitro. Using a human cell model, this study aimed to characterize and evaluate the immunostimulatory properties of crude ulvans extracted from <i>Ulva</i> spp., collected in Algarrobo, Chile. The crude ulvans, characterized by spectrophotometric methods, are composed of 47.6% total sugars, 14.3% uronic acids, and 8.9% sulfates, with an average molecular weight of 40.000 kDa. The FTIR spectrum showed bands related to uronic acids, rhamnose, and sulfate groups. GCMS analysis confirmed the presence of rhamnose, xylose, glucose, and galactose, with a predominance of the disaccharides U3s and B3s. HL60 cells differentiated into macrophages were cultured with three concentrations of crude ulvans (25, 50, and 100 μg/mL), with cell viability remaining above 90% at the lower concentrations. The crude ulvan activated CD86 co-stimulatory molecules and promoted the release of IL-6, IL-10, IL-4, and nitric oxide cytokines. The results suggest that ulvan is non-toxic and can activate inflammatory pathways, making it a potential candidate for studies as a vaccine adjuvant.
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spelling doaj-art-b40a3e431102470eac33a5380f256aed2025-08-20T03:16:34ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972025-06-0123624810.3390/md23060248Evaluation of the Immunostimulatory Effect of Ulvan Polysaccharide on Human Macrophages: Use as a Potential Vaccine AdjuvantValeska Guevara-Torrejón0Paola Chandía Parra1Carolina Campos-Estrada2Waleska E. Vera Quezada3Laboratorio de Química de Metabolitos Bioactivos, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, ChileLaboratorio de Moléculas Bioactivas, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo 1780000, ChileLaboratorio Toxicología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, ChileLaboratorio de Química de Metabolitos Bioactivos, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, ChileThe ulvans are sulfated heteropolysaccharides that can stimulate the immune response in vitro. Using a human cell model, this study aimed to characterize and evaluate the immunostimulatory properties of crude ulvans extracted from <i>Ulva</i> spp., collected in Algarrobo, Chile. The crude ulvans, characterized by spectrophotometric methods, are composed of 47.6% total sugars, 14.3% uronic acids, and 8.9% sulfates, with an average molecular weight of 40.000 kDa. The FTIR spectrum showed bands related to uronic acids, rhamnose, and sulfate groups. GCMS analysis confirmed the presence of rhamnose, xylose, glucose, and galactose, with a predominance of the disaccharides U3s and B3s. HL60 cells differentiated into macrophages were cultured with three concentrations of crude ulvans (25, 50, and 100 μg/mL), with cell viability remaining above 90% at the lower concentrations. The crude ulvan activated CD86 co-stimulatory molecules and promoted the release of IL-6, IL-10, IL-4, and nitric oxide cytokines. The results suggest that ulvan is non-toxic and can activate inflammatory pathways, making it a potential candidate for studies as a vaccine adjuvant.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/6/248ulvansulphated polysaccharidesadjuvantimmunostimulantvaccines
spellingShingle Valeska Guevara-Torrejón
Paola Chandía Parra
Carolina Campos-Estrada
Waleska E. Vera Quezada
Evaluation of the Immunostimulatory Effect of Ulvan Polysaccharide on Human Macrophages: Use as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant
Marine Drugs
ulvan
sulphated polysaccharides
adjuvant
immunostimulant
vaccines
title Evaluation of the Immunostimulatory Effect of Ulvan Polysaccharide on Human Macrophages: Use as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant
title_full Evaluation of the Immunostimulatory Effect of Ulvan Polysaccharide on Human Macrophages: Use as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant
title_fullStr Evaluation of the Immunostimulatory Effect of Ulvan Polysaccharide on Human Macrophages: Use as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of the Immunostimulatory Effect of Ulvan Polysaccharide on Human Macrophages: Use as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant
title_short Evaluation of the Immunostimulatory Effect of Ulvan Polysaccharide on Human Macrophages: Use as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant
title_sort evaluation of the immunostimulatory effect of ulvan polysaccharide on human macrophages use as a potential vaccine adjuvant
topic ulvan
sulphated polysaccharides
adjuvant
immunostimulant
vaccines
url https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/6/248
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