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Protective effect of β-glucan on Poly(I:C)-induced acute lung injury/inflammation: Therapeutic implications of viral infections in the respiratory system

  • Satya Krishna Tirunavalli
  • , Shashidhar Pramatha
  • , Abhisheik Chowdary Eedara
  • , Komal Paresh Walvekar
  • , Christiana Immanuel
  • , Pooja Potdar
  • , Pawan G. Nayak
  • , Mallikarjuna Rao Chamallamudi
  • , Ramakrishna Sistla
  • , Sabarinadh Chilaka*
  • , Sai Balaji Andugulapati
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aims: Acute lung inflammation, particularly acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), is caused by a variety of pathogens including bacteria and viruses. β-Glucans have been reported to possess both anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. The current study evaluated the therapeutic effect of β-glucans on polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C)) induced lung inflammation in both hamster and mice models. Main methods: Poly(I:C)-induced ALI/inflammation models were developed in hamsters (2.5 mg/kg) and mice (2 mg/kg) by delivering the Poly(I:C) intratracheally, and followed with and without β-glucan administration. After treatment, lung mechanics were assessed and lung tissues were isolated and analyzed for mRNA/protein expression, and histopathological examinations. Key findings: Poly(I:C) administration, caused a significant elevation of inflammatory marker's expression in lung tissues and showed abnormal lung mechanics in mice and hamsters. Interestingly, treatment with β-glucan significantly (p < 0.001) reversed the Poly(I:C)-induced inflammatory events and inflammatory markers expression in both mRNA (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, CCL2 and CCL7) and protein levels (TNF-α, CD68, myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase, MUC-5Ac and iNOS). Lung functional assays revealed that β-glucan treatment significantly improved lung mechanics. Histopathological analysis showed that β-glucan treatment significantly attenuated the Poly(I:C) induced inflammatory cell infiltration, injury and goblet cell population in lung tissues. Consistent with these findings, β-glucan treatment markedly reduced the number of neutrophils and macrophages in lung tissues. Our findings further demonstrated that β-glucan could reduce inflammation by suppressing the MAPK pathway. Significance: These results suggested that β-glucan may attenuate the pathogenic effects of Poly(I:C)-induced ALI/ARDS via modulating the MAPK pathway, indicating β-glucan as a possible therapeutic agent for the treatment of viral-pulmonary inflammation/injury.

Original languageEnglish
Article number122027
JournalLife Sciences
Volume330
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-10-2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)

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