Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against RSV via M2-like macrophage polarization

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections, particularly in infants and the older population, with limited effective treatments available. Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides (CLS) are natural compounds with antiviral a...

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Main Authors: Xiaozong Fu, Panwen Huang, Yuting Zhang, Yanchang Li, Shichang Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1576069/full
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author Xiaozong Fu
Panwen Huang
Yuting Zhang
Yanchang Li
Shichang Hu
author_facet Xiaozong Fu
Panwen Huang
Yuting Zhang
Yanchang Li
Shichang Hu
author_sort Xiaozong Fu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections, particularly in infants and the older population, with limited effective treatments available. Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides (CLS) are natural compounds with antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of CLS in RSV infection.MethodsA murine model of RSV infection was used to evaluate the effects of CLS. Lung pathology was assessed by lung index, histology, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) albumin and LDH levels. Viral load was measured by RSV mRNA and protein expression. Alveolar macrophage depletion was achieved using clodronate liposomes, and macrophage polarization was analyzed via flow cytometry and RT-qPCR.ResultsCLS treatment improved lung pathology, reduced BALF injury markers, and decreased viral load. The therapeutic effects of CLS were abrogated by macrophage depletion, indicating a reliance on alveolar macrophages. CLS promoted M2-like macrophage polarization, increasing M2 markers and reducing M1 markers. In vitro, CLS reduced RSV-induced apoptosis and enhanced macrophage proliferation.ConclusionsCLS protects against RSV-induced lung injury by promoting M2-like macrophage polarization and reducing viral load. These findings support CLS as a potential therapeutic for RSV infections.
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spelling doaj-art-407957669f824bd1acb08b22e4d63dfd2025-08-20T03:20:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-06-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15760691576069Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against RSV via M2-like macrophage polarizationXiaozong Fu0Panwen Huang1Yuting Zhang2Yanchang Li3Shichang Hu4Preventive Health Care Department, Dongguan People’s Hospital Xiegang Branch, Dongguan, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dongguan People’s Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong, ChinaPreventive Health Care Department, Dongguan People’s Hospital Xiegang Branch, Dongguan, Guangdong, ChinaHospital Infection Control Department, Dongguan People’s Hospital Xiegang Branch, Dongguan, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Dongguan People’s Hospital Xiegang Branch, Dongguan, Guangdong, ChinaBackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections, particularly in infants and the older population, with limited effective treatments available. Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides (CLS) are natural compounds with antiviral and immunomodulatory properties. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of CLS in RSV infection.MethodsA murine model of RSV infection was used to evaluate the effects of CLS. Lung pathology was assessed by lung index, histology, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) albumin and LDH levels. Viral load was measured by RSV mRNA and protein expression. Alveolar macrophage depletion was achieved using clodronate liposomes, and macrophage polarization was analyzed via flow cytometry and RT-qPCR.ResultsCLS treatment improved lung pathology, reduced BALF injury markers, and decreased viral load. The therapeutic effects of CLS were abrogated by macrophage depletion, indicating a reliance on alveolar macrophages. CLS promoted M2-like macrophage polarization, increasing M2 markers and reducing M1 markers. In vitro, CLS reduced RSV-induced apoptosis and enhanced macrophage proliferation.ConclusionsCLS protects against RSV-induced lung injury by promoting M2-like macrophage polarization and reducing viral load. These findings support CLS as a potential therapeutic for RSV infections.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1576069/fullrespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)macrophage polarizationcordycepinlactoferrinSargassum fusiforme polysaccharidelung pathology
spellingShingle Xiaozong Fu
Panwen Huang
Yuting Zhang
Yanchang Li
Shichang Hu
Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against RSV via M2-like macrophage polarization
Frontiers in Immunology
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
macrophage polarization
cordycepin
lactoferrin
Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide
lung pathology
title Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against RSV via M2-like macrophage polarization
title_full Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against RSV via M2-like macrophage polarization
title_fullStr Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against RSV via M2-like macrophage polarization
title_full_unstemmed Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against RSV via M2-like macrophage polarization
title_short Cordycepin, lactoferrin, and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against RSV via M2-like macrophage polarization
title_sort cordycepin lactoferrin and sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides protects against rsv via m2 like macrophage polarization
topic respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
macrophage polarization
cordycepin
lactoferrin
Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide
lung pathology
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1576069/full
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