Induction of classical activation of macrophage in vitro by water soluble chitin

► Water soluble chitin (WSC) was prepared by re-acetylation of chitosan and was treated with the murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cell lines (ATCC TIB-71). ► WSC induced classical activation in the RAW 264.7 cells, accompanied by the induction of associated genes. ► The association of histone H2A gene perturbation was found.