An exopolysaccharide produced by Geobacillus thermodenitrificans strain B3-72: antiviral activity on immunocompetent cells

Immunol Lett. 2009 Apr 27;123(2):132-7. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2009.03.001. Epub 2009 Mar 18.

Abstract

The immunomodulatory and antiviral effects of an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS-2), produced by a strain of Geobacillus thermodenitrificans isolated from a shallow marine vent of Vulcano Island (Italy), were evaluated. In the present study, we show for the first time that EPS-2 treatment hinder HSV-2 replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) but not in WISH cells. In fact, high levels of IFN-alpha, IL-12, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-18 were detected in supernatants of EPS-2 treated PBMC. Moreover, this effect was dose-dependent. Taken together, our results confirm that the immunological disorders determined by HSV-2 could be partially restored by treatment with EPS-2.

MeSH terms

  • Bacillaceae / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Herpes Simplex / immunology*
  • Herpes Simplex / virology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / drug effects*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / physiology
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / immunology
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / pharmacology*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*
  • Virus Replication / immunology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • exopolysaccharide, Bacillus