Bacillus alcalophiluspeptidoglycan induces IFN-α-mediated inhibition of vaccinia virus replication

Abstract

Bacterial products such as cell walls (CW) and peptidoglycan (PGN) are known to activate macrophages and NK cells during microbial infections. In this report, we demonstrated that whole CW and PGN of four Gram-positive bacteria are capable of enhancing the anti-poxviral activity of murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Among the major Bacillus alcalophilus CW components, PGN contributes the most to antiviral activity and induces remarkably higher levels of IFN-alpha. Anti-IFN-alpha/beta antibody, but not anti-IFN-gamma, anti-IFN-gamma receptor, or anti-IL-12, reversed the PGN-induced inhibition of vaccinia virus replication and reduced nitric oxide (NO) production. Our data thus suggest that PGN induce antiviral activity through IFN-alpha and to a lesser extent, through NO production.

Antivirals against animal viruses

“…Other bacterial components, including cell walls and even peptidoglycan in Gram positive bacteria (i.e. Bacillus alcalophilus), can activate macrophages and natural killer cells, creating an anti-poxviral state through increased a-interferon levels [227]. But this antiviral state is different from the one generated by LPS from different bacteria, as shown by Winters and colleagues in 1985 [228].…”

Natural Killer Cell Activation and Modulation of Chemokine Receptor ProfileIn Vitroby an Extract from the CyanophytaAphanizomenon flos-aquae

“…[10][11][12] This property extends to fixed cells and isolated cell wall fractions of the commensal organisms. [13][14][15][16] Consumption of cyanobacteria as dietary supplements presents interesting possibilities in terms of NK cell activation. Cyanobacteria are primitive organisms resembling bacteria as well as chloroplasts and are thought to represent organisms that gave rise to chloroplasts.…”