Fungal nucleic acids as interferon inducers

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Fungal nucleic acids are being investigated for potential therapeutic applications.
• Viruses like vaccinia virus and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE) pose significant health challenges.
• Interferon is a key component of the innate immune response to viral infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the antiviral and interferon-inducing properties of nucleic acids from Aspergillus niger x11, Piptoporus betulinus, and Ganoderma applanatum.
• To assess the efficacy of these fungal nucleic acids in protecting against viral infections in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Nucleic acids were isolated from Aspergillus niger x11, Piptoporus betulinus, and Ganoderma applanatum.
• Antiviral activity was assessed by measuring the reduction of vaccinia virus plaques in chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) tissue culture.
• In vivo efficacy was evaluated by intravenously administering nucleic acids to white mice and challenging them with tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE).
• Interferon induction was measured in CEF tissue culture and mouse spleen tissue.

Main Results:

• Nucleic acids from all three fungi reduced vaccinia virus plaques in CEF cultures.
• Fungal nucleic acids protected mice against lethal TBE virus infection.
• In CEF cultures, fungal nucleic acids induced detectable levels of interferon-like substances.
• In vivo, only ribonucleic acid from Ganoderma applanatum induced interferon properties in mouse spleen.

Conclusions:

• Nucleic acids from Aspergillus niger x11, Piptoporus betulinus, and Ganoderma applanatum possess significant antiviral properties.
• These fungal nucleic acids demonstrate potential as therapeutic agents against viral infections, including TBE.
• Ganoderma applanatum ribonucleic acid shows promise for inducing interferon-like responses in vivo.