Hyemin Kim1,2, Mirim Jang1, Yejin Kim1, Jiyea Choi1, Jane Jeon1, Jihoon Kim3, Young-Il Hwang1, Jae Seung Kang1,2, Wang Jae Lee1. 1. Laboratory of Vitamin C and Antioxidant Immunology, Department of Anatomy, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 2. Institute of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea. 3. Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Because red ginseng and vitamin C have immunomodulatory function and anti-viral effect, we investigated whether red ginseng and vitamin C synergistically regulate immune cell function and suppress viral infection. METHODS: Red ginseng and vitamin C were treated to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected BCBL-1, and administrated to Gulo(-/-) mice, which are incapable of synthesizing vitamin C, with or without influenza A virus/H1N1 infection. KEY FINDINGS: Red ginseng and vitamin C increased the expression of CD25 and CD69 of PBMCs and natural killer (NK) cells. Co-treatment of them decreased cell viability and lytic gene expression in BCBL-1. In Gulo(-/-) mice, red ginseng and vitamin C increased the expression of NKp46, a natural cytotoxic receptor of NK cells and interferon (IFN)-γ production. Influenza infection decreased the survival rate, and increased inflammation and viral plaque accumulation in the lungs of vitamin C-depleted Gulo(-/-) mice, which were remarkably reduced by red ginseng and vitamin C supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of red ginseng and vitamin C enhanced the activation of immune cells like T and NK cells, and repressed the progress of viral lytic cycle. It also reduced lung inflammation caused by viral infection, which consequently increased the survival rate.
OBJECTIVES: Because red ginseng and vitamin C have immunomodulatory function and anti-viral effect, we investigated whether red ginseng and vitamin C synergistically regulate immune cell function and suppress viral infection. METHODS: Red ginseng and vitamin C were treated to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected BCBL-1, and administrated to Gulo(-/-) mice, which are incapable of synthesizing vitamin C, with or without influenza A virus/H1N1 infection. KEY FINDINGS: Red ginseng and vitamin C increased the expression of CD25 and CD69 of PBMCs and natural killer (NK) cells. Co-treatment of them decreased cell viability and lytic gene expression in BCBL-1. In Gulo(-/-) mice, red ginseng and vitamin C increased the expression of NKp46, a natural cytotoxic receptor of NK cells and interferon (IFN)-γ production. Influenza infection decreased the survival rate, and increased inflammation and viral plaque accumulation in the lungs of vitamin C-depleted Gulo(-/-) mice, which were remarkably reduced by red ginseng and vitamin C supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of red ginseng and vitamin C enhanced the activation of immune cells like T and NK cells, and repressed the progress of viral lytic cycle. It also reduced lung inflammation caused by viral infection, which consequently increased the survival rate.
Authors: Marisa Market; Leonard Angka; Andre B Martel; Donald Bastin; Oladunni Olanubi; Gayashan Tennakoon; Dominique M Boucher; Juliana Ng; Michele Ardolino; Rebecca C Auer Journal: Front Immunol Date: 2020-06-23 Impact factor: 7.561