Search Results (38)

Background/Objectives: Immunodeficiency can be induced by a variety of factors, such as aging, stress and poor nutrition, and leads to increased susceptibility to infection and disease. The current research was conducted to determine the immunoenhancing potential of yam and its underlying mechanism in a murine model of cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression. Methods: The gut microbial community and generation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in response to yam were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and GC-MS. The immune cells in the spleen were analyzed using flow cytometry. GPR41/GPR43/GPR109A triple-knockout mice were used to demonstrate the critical involvement of SCFAs in mediating the protective effect of yam, and RNA-sequencing technology was applied to investigate the potential mechanism by which yam orchestrated the observed metabolic, immune and reparative responses. Results: Yam alleviated the decline in spleen and thymus indices and modulated the frequency of B cells and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and promoted the production of IgA, IgG and IgM. Yam increased the secretion of cytokines in the intestine and upregulated the levels of claudin and ZO-1. Yam also increased the content of SCFAs and induced beneficial modifications to the gut microbiota composition. The immune-enhancing activity of yam was confirmed, as evidenced by a notable decrease in viral load in immunosuppressed mice inoculated with influenza virus and its capacity to mitigate inflammatory response in pulmonary tissues. Conclusions: This study suggests that yam enhances immunity by synergistically regulating the gut–immune axis, supporting its development as a functional food intervention in managing immunodeficiency conditions. Full article

Natural pigment lycopene (LYC), a carotenoid, possesses antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anticancer, and immunoenhancing properties. During in vitro culture, this substance protects oocytes and early embryos from damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby enhancing the in vitro maturation (IVM) rate of oocytes and the developmental competence of early embryos. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementing different concentrations of LYC (0, 5, 10, and 15 μM) during in vitro culture of sheep oocytes and early embryos on their developmental competence. In contrast to the control group, the 5 μM LYC treatment group displayed a marked increase in the first polar body extrusion rate and the extent of cumulus cell expansion, as well as a significantly higher proportion of normal spindle assembly in sheep oocytes, but 15 μM LYC appeared to negatively affect oocyte maturation. Relative to all other experimental groups, the 5 μM LYC treatment group displayed significantly elevated rates of cleavage and blastocyst rate during early in vitro embryonic development. The levels of ROS in mature oocytes and early embryos were significantly decreased, whereas the GSH level was significantly elevated. Furthermore, LYC treatment significantly enhanced mitochondrial activity and markedly elevated the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in mature oocytes and early embryos. Moreover, the total cell number of blastocysts was significantly increased. Moreover, in early embryos, the transcript levels of genes associated with both oxidative stress and apoptosis were favorably regulated. In conclusion, LYC supplementation boosted the rates of oocyte maturation and blastocyst formation in sheep, while elevating the developmental capacity of early embryos. Full article

Oral probiotic-based therapy has emerged as a promising solution with multifaceted benefits for immunosuppression treatment. However, their widespread and clinical utility is severely limited by the poor viability of probiotics under harsh gastrointestinal conditions in the intestine. To address these challenges, a probiotic-based biohybrid (Lr@DGN) was bio-orthogonally fabricated by covalently anchoring the prebiotic β-glucan (GN) to the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri (Lr). Upon oral administration, Lr@DGN colonized intestines with high survival rates, aided by gastrointestinal stress-shielding of GN, leading to immuno-enhancing effects through combining GN and live Lr. Consequently, in a Cy-induced immunosuppression mouse model, oral administration of Lr@DGN significantly mitigated body weight loss, restored the key immune organ indexes (thymus and spleen), ameliorated Cy-induced damage to the small intestine, enhanced the intestinal immune response, and elevated the serum levels of immunoglobulins IgG and IgA. By integrating the effects of a prebiotic shield and a live probiotic, this biohybrid system offers a promising and translatable approach for managing immunodeficiency and related disorders. Full article

Fermented soybean-based foods contain diverse bioactive compounds with recognized health benefits. Among them, doenjang is widely consumed in East Asia and has been associated with protective effects against several disorders, including immunosuppression. This study evaluated the immunoenhancing effects of doenjang sourced from four regions of Korea in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppressed rats. Four-week doenjang administration restored spleen weight and improved hematological parameters, including white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte counts. Additionally, doenjang intake enhanced immune function, as evidenced by increased splenic natural killer cell activity, increased splenocyte proliferation under lipopolysaccharide- and concanavalin A-stimulated conditions, and higher levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, interferon-γ, and immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, the suppressed phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases/nuclear factor kappa B signaling was recovered, accompanied by improved splenic structure. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the regional varieties of doenjang effectively mitigate CP-induced immune dysfunction, indicating their potential as functional dietary interventions. Full article

Rabies is an acute and fatal zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus, responsible for approximately 59,000 deaths worldwide each year. Once clinical symptoms manifest, the case fatality rate approaches 100%. Vaccination remains the only effective strategy for prevention and control. Currently, human rabies vaccines approved by regulatory authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) are all inactivated, adjuvant-free formulations. These vaccines are associated with several limitations, including weak immunogenicity, delayed induction of neutralizing antibodies, complex immunization schedules, and poor patient compliance. Adjuvants, as nonspecific immunoenhancers, can potentiate the immune response even at low antigen doses and reduce the number of required doses, offering a promising approach to overcome the aforementioned challenges. This article reviews recent advances in adjuvants suitable for rabies vaccines and discusses the key challenges currently faced in the development of adjuvanted rabies vaccines. Full article

Background: The quest for effective immunoenhancers is central to improving vaccine efficacy, especially against avian viruses such as Newcastle disease (ND) virus. Selenized polysaccharides integrate bioactive polysaccharides with selenium’s immunoenhancing properties while reducing selenium toxicity, making them promising candidates for the development of a novel vaccine immunoenhancer. Aim: This study aimed to develop an efficient selenized Brassica rapa L. polysaccharide (sBRP) and evaluate its potential to enhance the immunogenicity of a live-attenuated ND vaccine in poultry. Methods: Selenization was achieved via nitrite-assisted selenization of Brassica rapa L. polysaccharide (BRP). In vivo, 180 yellow-feathered broilers were divided into six groups: control (Con), vaccine-only (Vac), BRP (20 mg/kg), and low/medium/high-dose sBRP (sBRP-L/M/H: 5/10/20 mg/kg). On days 14 and 28, all groups except Con were vaccinated against ND via drinking water. Concurrently, the BRP and sBRP-L/M/H groups received their respective polysaccharides via oral gavage. Parameters assessed included immune organ indices, lymphocyte proliferation, serum antibody titers (HI), cytokine levels (IL-2/IL-6/IFN-γ), and densities of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and goblet cells (GCs). Results: sBRP exhibited a selenium content of 30.6 mg/g, with Se-O-C covalent modification confirmed. The sBRP-H group significantly enhanced immune organ indices, lymphocyte proliferation, Newcastle disease virus HI antibody titers, and serum IL-2/IL-6/IFN-γ levels. The sBRP-M group increased IEL and GC densities in the intestine. Conclusions: sBRP acts synergistically with the vaccine to enhance vaccine-induced cellular, humoral, and mucosal immunity, demonstrating promise as a novel oral vaccine immunoenhancer. Full article

Background/objectives: This study evaluated the immunoenhancing effects of Agastache rugosa extract in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mouse model. Methods: Jeju A. rugosa was processed via hot water extraction and 20% ethanol extraction. For immunosuppression induction, 7-week-old male BALB/c mice received intraperitoneal CPA injections (150 mg/kg, day −3; 110 mg/kg, day −1), followed by oral administration of hot water extract (ARE-W) and ethanol extract (ARE-E) at 100 and 300 mg/kg for 14 days. Oral administration of ARE-W and ARE-E was started on day 0, immediately following the final CPA injection on day −1. Immune function was assessed through body weight changes, spleen weight, NK cell activity, IFN-γ production, and splenic lymphocyte proliferation. Results: Results demonstrated that CPA treatment induced comprehensive immune dysfunction, while A. rugosa extracts significantly ameliorated these immunosuppressive conditions. Notably, ARE-W (300 mg/kg) significantly enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity against tumor cells and IFN-γ production compared to the CPA group, and effectively restored spleen weight and lymphocyte proliferation. ARE-E also exhibited dose-dependent immune function recovery; however, ARE-W showed superior efficacy across most immune parameters. Conclusions: These findings suggest that A. rugosa extract, particularly ARE-W, effectively restores immune function in immunosuppressed conditions, indicating potential application as a natural functional material for ameliorating immunosuppression caused by cancer treatment or immune diseases. Full article

Background: Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a highly pathogenic virus that predominantly affects puppies, with mortality rates exceeding 70%. Although commercial multivalent live attenuated vaccines (MLV) are widely employed, their efficacy is often compromised by maternal antibody interference. Consequently, the development of novel vaccines remains imperative for effective CPV control. Methods: Recombinant CPV VP2 protein (rVP2) and canine interlukine 12 protein (rcIL-12) were expressed using the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system and the biological activity of these proteins was assessed through hemagglutination, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) and IFN-γ induction assays. The combined immunoenhancement effect of rVP2 and rcIL-12 protein was evaluated in puppies. Results: Both rVP2 and rcIL-12 were successfully expressed and purified, exhibiting confirmed antigenicity, immunogenicity, and bioactivity. Co-administration of rVP2 with rcIL-12 elicited higher neutralizing antibody titer (6–7 times higher), complete challenge protection efficiency (no clinical symptoms and tissue and organ lesions), fewer viral shedding (decreasing significantly 8-day post challenge) and superior viral blockade (lower viral load in the organism) compared to rVP2 alone. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that rVP2 co-administered with rcIL-12 induces robust protective immunity in puppies and significantly mitigated the inhibitory effects of maternal antibodies. This represents a promising strategy for enabling earlier vaccination in puppies and rational design of CPV subunit vaccines. Full article

Background: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of immunoenhancing nutritional therapy compared to conventional nutritional care in reducing perioperative complications in adult patients undergoing surgery for oral cancer. Given the unclear role of immunonutrition in this specific surgical setting, we synthesized available randomized controlled trials to assess outcomes such as surgical site infections, wound healing complications, hospital stay, and adverse events. Methods: Patients who underwent planned oral cancer surgery were included. The intervention group received oral or enteral immunoenhancing nutritional agents preoperatively, postoperatively, or both, while the control group received standard care (intravenous fluids) and/or macromolecular nutritional supplements. PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Central Medical Journal were comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs); eight RCTs were included. The primary outcomes were mortality, suture/healing failure, surgical site infection (SSI), and hospital stay length, with evidence certainty assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Results: Although mortality estimation was not feasible, hazard ratios from the meta-analysis showed that the intervention significantly improved suture/healing failure, SSI, and hospital stay length. The certainty of evidence was “low” for suture/healing failure and SSI and “moderate” for hospital stay length. Conclusions: Perioperative management with enteral nutritional agents fortified with immunonutrients should be considered in adult patients scheduled for (advanced) oral cancer surgery. Full article

A novel hexapeptide LVVLGH (LH-6) from the thick-shelled mussel (Mytilus coruscus) demonstrated potent immune-enhancing effects in RAW264.7 cells in vitro, but its immunological activity in vivo is unclear. As a result, the present study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of LH-6 on cyclophosphamide-induced immunodeficient mice. The results demonstrate that LH-6 promoted the growth and development of immunodeficient mice in a concentration-dependent manner, remarkably elevated the immune organ index, and relieved the pathological characteristics of the spleen and thymus. Additional experiments also revealed that LH-6 effectively promoted the multiplication of splenic lymphocytes and natural killer activity, enhanced the function of abdominal macrophages, and apparently recovered delayed-type hypersensitivity in immunodeficient mice. The secretion of IgA, IgG, IgM, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and serum hemolysin were remarkably improved by LH-6, suggesting that LH-6 can synergistically strengthen cellular and humoral immunity. In addition, LH-6 promoted the phosphorylation of IκBα and nuclear translocation of p65, which correspondingly increased the phosphorylation levels of p38, JNK, and ERK; activated the NF-κB and MAPK pathways; and exerted in vivo immunomodulatory activities. Docking results show that LH-6 has favorable binding energies to candidate proteins in the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. To summarize, this research further demonstrated that LH-6 possesses in vivo immunomodulatory activity, which provides a possibility for the subsequent development of immune-enhancing functional foods. Full article

Probiotic fermentation can promote the release of more effective components from traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge (A. membranaceus) and Raphani Semen are TCMs that have gained attention for their immunoenhancing activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of probiotic-fermented A. membranaceus and Raphani Semen (PROAS) in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunocompromised mice. Changes in the composition of A. membranaceus and Raphani Semen after fermentation by probiotic strains, including Bifidobacterium longum SD5219, Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB5221, and Lactobacillus paracasei SD5219, were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The immunostimulatory effects and mechanisms of PROAS were evaluated in immunosuppressed mice 3 and 7 days after CTX treatment. Probiotic fermentation of TCMs resulted in changes in major bioactive components. PROAS supplementation effectively restored intestinal integrity in CTX-treated mice by upregulating the mRNA expression of the tight junction proteins. PROAS significantly ameliorated the reduction in the spleen index and number of B lymphocytes caused by CTX treatment and regulated the secretion of cytokines in serum and colon tissues. PROAS administration modulated gut microbial dysbiosis and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content in CTX-treated mice. These results suggest that PROAS enhances B lymphocyte function by increasing the regulation of intestinal microbiota to produce high levels of SCFA, repairs the intestinal barrier damage induced by CTX, and promotes intestinal mucosal immunity. Full article

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) infection severely affects the daily weight gain and feed-to-meat ratio of pigs, while secondary infections with other pathogens can further lead to increased mortality, causing significant economic losses to the pig industry. CD40L is a molecular adjuvant that enhances the cellular and humoral immune responses to vaccines. In this study, the CD40L peptide was fused to the C-terminus of the chimeric P97R1P46P42 protein by genetic engineering using the pFastBac Dual vector. The recombinant chimeric protein P97R1P46P42 and its fusion P97R1P46P42-CD40L were expressed in Sf9 cells and purified. Mice were immunized with P97R1P46P42 or its fusion protein. Seppic ISA 201 emulsified protein, conventional Mhp vaccine and PBS control groups were included. Immunogenecity was assessed by specific IgG antibody response, splenic lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokine IL-4 and IFN-γ levels. We found that CD40L fusion significantly enhanced specific antibody response, lymphocyte proliferation and IL-4 level in the immunized mouse sera as compared to the P97R1P46P42 or conventional vaccine group. This study provides clear evidence that CD40L potentiates the humoral and cellular immune responses to the Mhp chimeric protein P97R1P46P42 in the mouse model. This CD40L-fused chimeric protein could be a MPS subunit vaccine candidate to be tested for its efficacy in pigs in response to challenges with pathogenic Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strain(s). Full article

The structure and characteristics of LEOPs, β-oligosaccharides from the fruiting body of Lentinus edodes obtained via acid degradation and gel permeation chromatography, were investigated. We performed high-performance liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, methylation analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and correlated activity experiments, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and liver injury protection to gain insights. LEOPs comprised an oligosaccharide (Mw 2445 Da) based on six β-1, 3-D-glucose residues as the main chain and six β-1, 6-D-glucose residues as the side chain. Surface plasmon resonance analysis indicated that LEOPs directly bound to dectin-1, which facilitated their immunoenhancing activity via downstream NF-κB activation. The results implied that LEOPs may be the active unit of the shiitake β-glucan. The determination of LEOPs structure was performed to reveal the anti-tumor effect and immune-regulatory function of shiitake β-glucan on a molecular level to provide a basis. Full article

In this study, a mixture of Platycodon grandiflorum, Pyrus serotina, Chaenomeles sinensis, and Raphanus sativus (PPCRE) was investigated for their immuno-enhancing effects, as well as the molecular mechanism of PPCRE in RAW264.7 cells. PPCRE dramatically increased nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) generation depending on the concentration while exhibiting no cytotoxicity. PPCRE markedly upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of immune-related cytotoxic factors such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as the mRNA level of IL-4. PPCRE increased the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway by upregulating the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), stress-activated protein kinase/Jun N-terminal-kinase (SAPK/JNK), and p38. Furthermore, PPCRE considerably activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway by increasing phosphorylation of NF-κB-p65. PPCRE-stimulated RAW264.7 cells increased macrophage phagocytic capacity. In conclusion, our study found that PPCRE improved immune function by modulating inflammatory mediators and regulating the MAPK and NF-κB pathway of signaling in macrophages. Full article

Polysaccharides extracted from Taxus media hrough an aqueous method were further refined by removing proteins via the Sevag technique and purified by dialysis. The separation of these polysaccharides was accomplished using a DEAE-cellulose chromatog-raphy column, yielding two distinct fractions, named CPTM-P1 and CPTM-P2. Notably, CPTM-P1 emerged as the primary polysaccharide component within Taxus media. Consequently, a comprehensive analysis focusing exclusively on CPTM-P1 was undertaken. The molecular weight of CPTM-P1 was established through gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and its monosaccharide composition was deciphered using HPLC-MS. The structure was further elucidated through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The molecular weight of CPTM-P1 was determined to be 968.7 kDa. The monosaccharide composition consisted of galactose (Gal), arabinose (Ara), galacturonic acid (Gal-UA), glucose (Glc), rhamnose (Rha), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man), fucose (Fuc), glucuronic acid (Glc-UA), and ribose (Rib). The proportional distribution of these components was 30.53%, 22.00%, 5.63%, 11.67%, 11.93%, 1.69%, 8.50%, 1.23%, 5.63%, and 1.17%, respectively. This confirmed CPTM-P1 as an acidic heteropolysaccharide with a glycuronic acid backbone. Moreover, CPTM-P1 showed immunoenhancing properties, effectively augmenting the secretion of nitric oxide and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Additionally, it significantly enhances the phagocytic capacity of RAW264.7 cells. These findings underscore the potential application of these polysaccharides in functional foods and pharmaceuticals, providing a solid scientific basis for further exploration and utilization of Taxus media polysaccharides. Full article