scholarly journals The Antiviral Potential of Probiotics—A Review on Scientific Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 8687
Author(s):  
Periyanaina Kesika ◽  
Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi ◽  
Subramanian Thangaleela ◽  
Chaiyavat Chaiyasut

A rich repertoire of research studies on probiotics has been documented as one of the therapeutic agents or adjuvants for vaccines in treating viral infections. It is well known that the immunomodulatory properties of probiotics reduce the severity of viral infections. The efficacy of probiotics alone and combined boost up the host’s innate immunity, thereby developing a robust antiviral paradigm. As dietary and therapeutic measures, probiotics potentially work as an alternative for those who lack access to vaccines or antiviral drugs. Potential probiotic mechanisms include competing with pathogens for nutrients and colonization sites, producing antimicrobial metabolites and enhancing protective immune responses. The live probiotics can reach and colonize the host animals’ intestines then confer the health benefits by improving the host’s natural defence against viral infections. The research studies on probiotics suggest that they reduce the risk of viral infections, yet the innermost mechanisms are still unknown. The reason for scripting this review is to discuss the current developments in probiotic therapeutic measures and their probable insights into antiviral agents.

2021 ◽  
Vol 478 (23) ◽  
pp. 4071-4092
Author(s):  
Jialin Shang ◽  
Michael R. Smith ◽  
Ananya Anmangandla ◽  
Hening Lin

The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that in spite of the scientific progress in the past century, there is a lack of general antiviral strategies. In analogy to broad-spectrum antibiotics as antibacterial agents, developing broad spectrum antiviral agents would buy us time for the development of vaccines and treatments for future viral infections. In addition to targeting viral factors, a possible strategy is to understand host immune defense mechanisms and develop methods to boost the antiviral immune response. Here we summarize the role of NAD+-consuming enzymes in the immune defense against viral infections, with the hope that a better understanding of this process could help to develop better antiviral therapeutics targeting these enzymes. These NAD+-consuming enzymes include PARPs, sirtuins, CD38, and SARM1. Among these, the antiviral function of PARPs is particularly important and will be a focus of this review. Interestingly, NAD+ biosynthetic enzymes are also implicated in immune responses. In addition, many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 contain a macrodomain-containing protein (NSP3 in SARS-CoV-2), which serves to counteract the antiviral function of host PARPs. Therefore, NAD+ and NAD+-consuming enzymes play crucial roles in immune responses against viral infections and detailed mechanistic understandings in the future will likely facilitate the development of general antiviral strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tong-Yun Wang ◽  
Ming-Xia Sun ◽  
Hong-Liang Zhang ◽  
Gang Wang ◽  
Guoqing Zhan ◽  
...  

Innate immunity is the front line for antiviral immune responses and bridges adaptive immunity against viral infections. However, various viruses have evolved many strategies to evade host innate immunity. A typical virus is the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), one of the most globally devastating viruses threatening the swine industry worldwide. PRRSV engages several strategies to evade the porcine innate immune responses. This review focus on the underlying mechanisms employed by PRRSV to evade pattern recognition receptors signaling pathways, type I interferon (IFN-α/β) receptor (IFNAR)-JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and interferon-stimulated genes. Deciphering the antiviral immune evasion mechanisms by PRRSV will enhance our understanding of PRRSV’s pathogenesis and help us to develop more effective methods to control and eliminate PRRSV.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1373
Author(s):  
Sergey Brezgin ◽  
Anastasiya Kostyusheva ◽  
Ekaterina Bayurova ◽  
Elena Volchkova ◽  
Vladimir Gegechkori ◽  
...  

Viral infections cause a variety of acute and chronic human diseases, sometimes resulting in small local outbreaks, or in some cases spreading across the globe and leading to global pandemics. Understanding and exploiting virus–host interactions is instrumental for identifying host factors involved in viral replication, developing effective antiviral agents, and mitigating the severity of virus-borne infectious diseases. The diversity of CRISPR systems and CRISPR-based tools enables the specific modulation of innate immune responses and has contributed impressively to the fields of virology and immunology in a very short time. In this review, we describe the most recent advances in the use of CRISPR systems for basic and translational studies of virus–host interactions.


1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 614-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Patick ◽  
K. E. Potts

SUMMARY Currently, there are a number of approved antiviral agents for use in the treatment of viral infections. However, many instances exist in which the use of a second antiviral agent would be beneficial because it would allow the option of either an alternative or a combination therapeutic approach. Accordingly, virus-encoded proteases have emerged as new targets for antiviral intervention. Molecular studies have indicated that viral proteases play a critical role in the life cycle of many viruses by effecting the cleavage of high-molecular-weight viral polyprotein precursors to yield functional products or by catalyzing the processing of the structural proteins necessary for assembly and morphogenesis of virus particles. This review summarizes some of the important general features of virus-encoded proteases and highlights new advances and/or specific challenges that are associated with the research and development of viral protease inhibitors. Specifically, the viral proteases encoded by the herpesvirus, retrovirus, hepatitis C virus, and human rhinovirus families are discussed.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 348
Author(s):  
Francesco Menzella ◽  
Giulia Ghidoni ◽  
Carla Galeone ◽  
Silvia Capobelli ◽  
Chiara Scelfo ◽  
...  

Viral respiratory infections are recognized risk factors for the loss of control of allergic asthma and the induction of exacerbations, both in adults and children. Severe asthma is more susceptible to virus-induced asthma exacerbations, especially in the presence of high IgE levels. In the course of immune responses to viruses, an initial activation of innate immunity typically occurs and the production of type I and III interferons is essential in the control of viral spread. However, the Th2 inflammatory environment still appears to be protective against viral infections in general and in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections as well. As for now, literature data, although extremely limited and preliminary, show that severe asthma patients treated with biologics don’t have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or progression to severe forms compared to the non-asthmatic population. Omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, exerts a profound cellular effect, which can stabilize the effector cells, and is becoming much more efficient from the point of view of innate immunity in contrasting respiratory viral infections. In addition to the antiviral effect, clinical efficacy and safety of this biological allow a great improvement in the management of asthma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-382
Author(s):  
Mario Dioguardi ◽  
Angela Pia Cazzolla ◽  
Claudia Arena ◽  
Diego Sovereto ◽  
Giorgia Apollonia Caloro ◽  
...  

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an emerging viral disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which leads to severe respiratory infections in humans. The first reports came in December 2019 from the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei in China. It was immediately clear that children developed a milder disease than adults. The reasons for the milder course of the disease were attributed to several factors: innate immunity, difference in ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme II) receptor expression, and previous infections with other common coronaviruses (CovH). This literature review aims to summarize aspects of innate immunity by focusing on the role of ACE2 expression and viral infections in children in modulating the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles deemed potentially eligible were considered, including those dealing with COVID-19 in children and providing more up-to-date and significant data in terms of epidemiology, prognosis, course, and symptoms, focusing on the etiopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 disease in children. The bibliographic search was conducted using the search engines PubMed and Scopus. The following search terms were entered in PubMed and Scopus: COVID-19 AND ACE2 AND Children; COVID-19 AND Immunity innate AND children. The search identified 857 records, and 18 studies were applicable based on inclusion and exclusion criteria that addressed the issues of COVID-19 concerning the role of ACE2 expression in children. The scientific literature agrees that children develop milder COVID-19 disease than adults. Milder symptomatology could be attributed to innate immunity or previous CovH virus infections, while it is not yet fully understood how the differential expression of ACE2 in children could contribute to milder disease.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1720
Author(s):  
Kuo-Chieh Liao ◽  
Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco

The importance of transcriptional regulation of host genes in innate immunity against viral infection has been widely recognized. More recently, post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms have gained appreciation as an additional and important layer of regulation to fine-tune host immune responses. Here, we review the functional significance of alternative splicing in innate immune responses to viral infection. We describe how several central components of the Type I and III interferon pathways encode spliced isoforms to regulate IFN activation and function. Additionally, the functional roles of splicing factors and modulators in antiviral immunity are discussed. Lastly, we discuss how cell death pathways are regulated by alternative splicing as well as the potential role of this regulation on host immunity and viral infection. Altogether, these studies highlight the importance of RNA splicing in regulating host–virus interactions and suggest a role in downregulating antiviral innate immunity; this may be critical to prevent pathological inflammation.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Anthony C. Ike ◽  
Chukwuebuka M. Ononugbo ◽  
Okechukwu J. Obi ◽  
Chisom J. Onu ◽  
Chinasa V. Olovo ◽  
...  

Infectious bronchitis (IB) and Newcastle disease (ND) are two important diseases of poultry and have remained a threat to the development of the poultry industry in many parts of the world. The immunology of avian has been well studied and numerous vaccines have been developed against the two viruses. Most of these vaccines are either inactivated vaccines or live attenuated vaccines. Inactivated vaccines induce weak cellular immune responses and require priming with live or other types of vaccines. Advanced technology has been used to produce several types of vaccines that can initiate prime immune responses. However, as a result of rapid genetic variations, the control of these two viral infections through vaccination has remained a challenge. Using various strategies such as combination of live attenuated and inactivated vaccines, development of IB/ND vaccines, use of DNA vaccines and transgenic plant vaccines, the problem is being surmounted. It is hoped that with increasing understanding of the immunological mechanisms in birds that are used in fighting these viruses, a more successful control of the diseases will be achieved. This will go a long way in contributing to global food security and the economic development of many developing countries, given the role of poultry in the attainment of these goals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamyar Khoshnevisan ◽  
Hassan Maleki ◽  
Hadi Baharifar

Abstract The effectiveness of silver nanomaterials (AgNMs), as antiviral agents, has been confirmed in humans against many different types of viruses. Nanobiocides-based AgNMs can be effectively applied to eliminate coronaviruses (CoVs), as the cause of various diseases in animals and humans, particularly the fatal human respiratory infections. Mostly, these NMs act effectively against CoVs, thanks to the NMs’ fundamental anti-viral structures like reactive oxygen species (ROS), and photo-dynamic and photo-thermal abilities. Particularly, the antiviral activity of AgNMs is clarified under three inhibitory mechanisms including viral entry limitation, attachment inhibition, and viral replication limitation. It is believed that nanobiocide with other possible materials such as TiO2, silica and, carbon NMs exclusively nano-graphene materials can emerge as a more effective disinfectant for long-term stability with low toxicity than common disinfectants. Nanobiocides also can be applied for the prevention and treatment of viral infections specifically against COVID-19. Graphic Abstract


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