Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Oxford Convention Center, 102 Ed Perry Boulevard Oxford, MS 38655
Event Website
https://www.oxfordicsb.org/
Start Date
26-4-2023 11:10 AM
Description
The University of Mississippi Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center is performing research on the potential use of Limnospira (formally Arthrospira) to enhance resilience against influenza viral infection. Limnospira is a cyanobacterium that has been used as a food for centuries and more recently as a popular health supplement. A commercial extract called Immulina has been developed that concentrates the level of immunomodulatory activity due to Braun-type lipoproteins – compounds that activate immune pathways through a toll-like receptor (TLR) 2-dependent mechanism. Although oral ingestion of Immulina has been reported to exhibit a protective effect against subsequent H1N1 influenza A (IfA) viral infection using a mouse model, it is unknown whether this protection is solely prophylactic, prodromal, therapeutic or a combination of these effect.
In the current research we focus on investigating the effect of Immulina on resilience against IfA-induced illness using a prodromal nonlethal rodent model (mice were orally administered Immulina 2 hours after H1N1 IfA exposure and continued daily for 15 days). Determination of viral load in lung homogenates was performed by extraction of viral RNA followed by quantitation using real-time PCR. A statistically significant decrease in the number of viral particles was observed in both male and female mice at various timepoints post-infection at a dose of 100mg/kg, as compared to the control group. Significant reduction in viral load was also observed for Immulina-treatment at 50 and 25mg/kg on days 5 and 10 (post-infection), but for only the male mice. For clinical signs of infection, a significant reduction in all parameters (appearance, respiration and mobility) was observed for both male and female mice, generally starting at day 5 post-infection. We hypothesize that the protective effect of Immulina against IfA-induced illness is mediated through modulation of the host antiviral immune system by the TLR2 activating Braun-type lipoproteins. It is unlikely that the effect is due to direct antiviral activity within the extract since Immulina exhibited no activity when tested for in vitro antiviral activity against IfA.
Recommended Citation
Shamim, Kashif and Mir, Tahir, "Immulina enhances host resilience against influenza virus-induced illness in a prodromal mouse model: Part B – changes in viral load and clinical signs of infection" (2023). Oxford ICSB. 2.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/icsb/2023_ICSB/schedule/2
Publication Date
April 2023
Accessibility Status
Searchable text
Included in
Immulina enhances host resilience against influenza virus-induced illness in a prodromal mouse model: Part B – changes in viral load and clinical signs of infection
Oxford Convention Center, 102 Ed Perry Boulevard Oxford, MS 38655
The University of Mississippi Botanical Dietary Supplements Research Center is performing research on the potential use of Limnospira (formally Arthrospira) to enhance resilience against influenza viral infection. Limnospira is a cyanobacterium that has been used as a food for centuries and more recently as a popular health supplement. A commercial extract called Immulina has been developed that concentrates the level of immunomodulatory activity due to Braun-type lipoproteins – compounds that activate immune pathways through a toll-like receptor (TLR) 2-dependent mechanism. Although oral ingestion of Immulina has been reported to exhibit a protective effect against subsequent H1N1 influenza A (IfA) viral infection using a mouse model, it is unknown whether this protection is solely prophylactic, prodromal, therapeutic or a combination of these effect.
In the current research we focus on investigating the effect of Immulina on resilience against IfA-induced illness using a prodromal nonlethal rodent model (mice were orally administered Immulina 2 hours after H1N1 IfA exposure and continued daily for 15 days). Determination of viral load in lung homogenates was performed by extraction of viral RNA followed by quantitation using real-time PCR. A statistically significant decrease in the number of viral particles was observed in both male and female mice at various timepoints post-infection at a dose of 100mg/kg, as compared to the control group. Significant reduction in viral load was also observed for Immulina-treatment at 50 and 25mg/kg on days 5 and 10 (post-infection), but for only the male mice. For clinical signs of infection, a significant reduction in all parameters (appearance, respiration and mobility) was observed for both male and female mice, generally starting at day 5 post-infection. We hypothesize that the protective effect of Immulina against IfA-induced illness is mediated through modulation of the host antiviral immune system by the TLR2 activating Braun-type lipoproteins. It is unlikely that the effect is due to direct antiviral activity within the extract since Immulina exhibited no activity when tested for in vitro antiviral activity against IfA.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/icsb/2023_ICSB/schedule/2
Comments
This work was supported by the Office of Dietary Supplements and National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U19AT010838. The content is solely the authors’ responsibility and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Additional funding was also provided by a grant from the USDA, Agricultural Research Service Specific Cooperative Agreement No. 58-6060-6-015.