title: Oral administration of a Spirulina extract enriched for Braun-type lipoproteins protects mice against influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
abstract: A growing body of research indicates that oral administration of bacteria (such as probiotics) can exhibit a protective effect against influenza A (H1N1) viral infection in mice. In the present study, we used a mouse model to examine whether oral administration of Immulina(®), a commercial extract from the cyanobacteria Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis, can reduce the severity of illness resulting from influenza A (H1N1) viral infection. The main active compounds within Immulina(®) are bacterial Braun-type lipoproteins that activate innate immune cells through a toll-like receptor (TLR) 2-dependent pathway. Mice that were fed Immulina(®) for 30 days before and 21 days after infection with influenza A (H1N1) virus exhibited a statistically significant reduction in the severity of infection. Compared to the control group, Immulina(®)-fed mice exhibited less weight loss, increased appetite, decreased clinical signs of disease, and lower lung histopathology scores. The results from the present study adds to the increasing evidence that oral administration of bacterial components that activate innate immune cells, whether derived from a bacterial preparation (probiotics or cyanobacteria) or from plant material containing endophytic bacteria, can exhibit a protective effect against influenza A (H1N1) viral infection.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, United States.
authors.forename: Nirmal D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Pugh
authors.affiliation: Doktor Edwall AB, Torgerdsvägen 11, 182 67 Djursholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edwall
authors.affiliation: Kasima Medical Development AB (Inc), Ejdervagen 8, 23941 Falsterbo, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lindmark
authors.affiliation: Division of Biotechnology & Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States.
authors.forename: K Gus
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Kousoulas
authors.affiliation: Division of Biotechnology & Molecular Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States.
authors.forename: Arun V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Iyer
authors.affiliation: National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, United States.
authors.forename: Mona H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Haron
authors.affiliation: National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, United States; Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, United States. Electronic address: dpasco@olemiss.edu.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pasco
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053545:Spirulina / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: C459207:Immulina; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial
keywords: Arthrospira platensis (Phormidiaceae); Braun-type lipoproteins; Immulina(®); Influenza A (H1N1) virus; Protective immunity; Toll-like receptor