Mutan, an extracellular α-[(1,3)- and (1,6)]-d-glucan from S. mutans was studied.
Mutan can inhibit intra-cortical remodelling in the rat maxilla.
Mutan activates osteoclast differentiation and alveolar bone loss in rat maxillae.
Mutan leads to five-fold expression of proinflammatory cytokines in RAW264.7 cells.