Dextrans, which have no immunoreactivity, were revealed to exert immunopotentiating activities on their chemical phosphorylation. Since phosphorylated dextrans not only function as B cell mitogens, but also activate dendritic cells and induce IL-10 and IFN- gamma , they can be expected to have effects in preventing infectious diseases and colitis, and in preventing allergic diseases by maintaining the Th1/Th2 balance.
