Immunomodulatory activities of chitin and chitosan microparticles

Abstract Chitin, poly(β-(1–4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine), and its deacetylated forms (chitosan and viscosan) can be potentially used for extensive applications in the medical field. Chitin and chitosan have immunomodulatory effects. These natural polymers are recognized and then degraded by the human immune system. Various enzymes including chitinase are produced as part of the immune response to chitin and chitosan and degrade these polymers, then chitinous microparticles (CMPs), glucosamine oligomers, and finally glucose amines are formed and drive immunomodulatory effects. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the inflammatory properties of CMPs, for instance, boosting effects of CMPs on innate immunity (train immunity). On the other hand, some researchers have used CMPs to control inflammatory diseases such as allergic asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. CMPs immunomodulatory effects are rather broad.