Baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and T-cell homeostasis during H9N2 infection
IntroductionThe H9N2 avian influenza virus, although not highly pathogenic, still poses ongoing risks to poultry health and food security due to its ability to resist vaccines and its potential to spread to humans.MethodsThis study investigated the effects of baicalin, a flavonoid derived from Scute...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Immunology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1593691/full |
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| author | Zhenyi Liu Haotong Guo Yan Zhi Xiaorui Jiang Qian Zhang |
| author_facet | Zhenyi Liu Haotong Guo Yan Zhi Xiaorui Jiang Qian Zhang |
| author_sort | Zhenyi Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe H9N2 avian influenza virus, although not highly pathogenic, still poses ongoing risks to poultry health and food security due to its ability to resist vaccines and its potential to spread to humans.MethodsThis study investigated the effects of baicalin, a flavonoid derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, on respiratory mucosal immunity during H9N2 infection. In vitro experiments were conducted using MLE-12 alveolar epithelial cells, and in vivo evaluations were performed in a mouse model of H9N2 infection.ResultsBaicalin treatment enhanced the expression of antiviral proteins Mx1 and PKR in a dose- and time-dependent manner, helping to counteract the virus’s suppression of these defense proteins. In addition to strengthening this epithelial barrier, baicalin has both antiviral and immune-regulating effects: it directly blocks viral replication and helps restore the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in H9N2-infected mice. Most importantly, baicalin reduces lung damage and spleen shrinkage while keeping the immune system balanced. These results show that baicalin enhances mucosal antiviral defenses by simultaneously regulating innate antiviral pathways (Mx1 and PKR) and restoring adaptive immune balance (CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio).DiscussionThese dual protective effects highlight baicalin’s potential as a natural therapeutic strategy for improving mucosal immunity against vaccine-resistant influenza viruses such as H9N2, contributing valuable insights into plant-derived immunomodulatory approaches against emerging zoonotic viral threats. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e4a09decb27f4e81966818166a39004f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-3224 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Immunology |
| spelling | doaj-art-e4a09decb27f4e81966818166a39004f2025-08-20T03:52:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15936911593691Baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and T-cell homeostasis during H9N2 infectionZhenyi Liu0Haotong Guo1Yan Zhi2Xiaorui Jiang3Qian Zhang4College of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, ChinaYanTai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Yantai, ChinaCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, ChinaIntroductionThe H9N2 avian influenza virus, although not highly pathogenic, still poses ongoing risks to poultry health and food security due to its ability to resist vaccines and its potential to spread to humans.MethodsThis study investigated the effects of baicalin, a flavonoid derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, on respiratory mucosal immunity during H9N2 infection. In vitro experiments were conducted using MLE-12 alveolar epithelial cells, and in vivo evaluations were performed in a mouse model of H9N2 infection.ResultsBaicalin treatment enhanced the expression of antiviral proteins Mx1 and PKR in a dose- and time-dependent manner, helping to counteract the virus’s suppression of these defense proteins. In addition to strengthening this epithelial barrier, baicalin has both antiviral and immune-regulating effects: it directly blocks viral replication and helps restore the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in H9N2-infected mice. Most importantly, baicalin reduces lung damage and spleen shrinkage while keeping the immune system balanced. These results show that baicalin enhances mucosal antiviral defenses by simultaneously regulating innate antiviral pathways (Mx1 and PKR) and restoring adaptive immune balance (CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio).DiscussionThese dual protective effects highlight baicalin’s potential as a natural therapeutic strategy for improving mucosal immunity against vaccine-resistant influenza viruses such as H9N2, contributing valuable insights into plant-derived immunomodulatory approaches against emerging zoonotic viral threats.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1593691/fullbaicalinH9N2 avnia influenza virusrespiratory mucosal immunityantiviral proteinsMX1PKR |
| spellingShingle | Zhenyi Liu Haotong Guo Yan Zhi Xiaorui Jiang Qian Zhang Baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and T-cell homeostasis during H9N2 infection Frontiers in Immunology baicalin H9N2 avnia influenza virus respiratory mucosal immunity antiviral proteins MX1 PKR |
| title | Baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and T-cell homeostasis during H9N2 infection |
| title_full | Baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and T-cell homeostasis during H9N2 infection |
| title_fullStr | Baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and T-cell homeostasis during H9N2 infection |
| title_full_unstemmed | Baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and T-cell homeostasis during H9N2 infection |
| title_short | Baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and T-cell homeostasis during H9N2 infection |
| title_sort | baicalin enhances respiratory mucosal immunity by modulating antiviral protein expression and t cell homeostasis during h9n2 infection |
| topic | baicalin H9N2 avnia influenza virus respiratory mucosal immunity antiviral proteins MX1 PKR |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1593691/full |
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