Naturally Derived Anti-HIV Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP) Triggers a Toll-Like Receptor 4-Dependent Antiviral Immune Response

Abstract

Aim Intense interest remains in the identification of compounds to reduce human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. Coriolus versicolor's polysaccharide peptide (PSP) has been demonstrated to possess immunomodulatory properties with the ability to activate an innate immune response through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) showing insignificant toxicity. This study sought to determine the potential use of PSP as an anti-HIV agent and whether its antiviral immune response was TLR4 dependent. Materials and Methods HIV-1 p24 and anti-HIV chemokine release was assessed in HIV-positive (HIV+) THP1 cells and validated in HIV+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), to determine PSP antiviral activity. The involvement of TLR4 activation in PSP anti-HIV activity was evaluated by inhibition. Results PSP showed a promising potential as an anti-HIV agent, by downregulating viral replication and promoting the upregulation of specific antiviral chemokines (RANTES, MIP-1α/β, and SDF-1α) known to block HIV-1 coreceptors in THP1 cells and human PBMCs. PSP produced a 61% viral inhibition after PSP treatment in HIV-1-infected THP1 cells. Additionally, PSP upregulated the expression of TLR4 and TLR4 inhibition led to countereffects in chemokine expression and HIV-1 replication. Conclusion Taken together, these findings put forward the first evidence that PSP exerts an anti-HIV activity mediated by TLR4 and key antiviral chemokines. Elucidating these new molecular mediators may reveal additional drug targets and open novel therapeutic avenues for HIV-1 infection.

Anti-feline immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase properties of some medicinal and edible mushrooms

“…Moreover, mushrooms have been reported to show immunomodulating activity. They could be used in combination with drugs to initiate and support immune responses [ 31 , 35 ]. Synergism between a mushroom extract and antiviral drug has also been reported [ 36 ].…”

“…The water extract also showed good anti-FIV-RT activity. It has been reported that some proteins and polysaccharides extracted from mushrooms showed antiviral potential [ 12 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 35 , 37 , 38 ] ( Table-2 ). Thus, the experimental design to obtain the anti-FIV compounds (e.g., type of inhibitor, solvent used, and purification method) should be taken into account in further studies and clinical applications.…”

Food Ingredients and Active Compounds against the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic: A Comprehensive Review

“…The polysaccharides from mushrooms exhibited potential anti-HIV activity by downregulating replication of the virus and upregulating certain antiviral chemokines (Stromal Cell Derived Factor-1 alpha, SDF-1α, and Macrophage Inflammatory Protein, MIP-1α/β). These chemokines block the coreceptors of HIV-1 in THP1 cells from leukemia patients and blood mononuclear cells [26]. Table 1.…”

Anti-viral activity of culinary and medicinal mushroom extracts against dengue virus serotype 2: an in-vitro study

“…The findings presented here are in agreement with those published by other authors, who stated that the mechanism underlying the anti-viral activity of mushroom extracts may be related to the inhibition of viral adsorption and penetration [6, 9, 39]. Mushroom protein-bound glycan isolated from Polystictus Versicolor , PSK or Krestin, which are currently used as adjunctive therapies for various types of cancers in Japan, showed promising potential as anti-HIV agents by downregulating viral replication and promoting the upregulation of specific antiviral chemokines (RANTES, MIP-1 α / β , and SDF-1 α ) known to block HIV-1 coreceptors in THP1 cells and human PBMCs [40].…”