The immune-adjuvant activity and the mechanism of resveratrol on pseudorabies virus vaccine in a mouse model.

Resveratrol had shown various properties before, like immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. Based on these properties, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects and mechanism of resveratrol as an immune-adjuvant for pseudorabies virus (PRV) vaccine. We found that oral administration of resveratrol to mice significantly increased the number of T lymphocytes in the spleen, and elevated the concentrations of antibodies and cytokines in the serum. Resveratrol (30 mg/kg) could enhance phagocytic capacity of peritoneal macrophage (PM) by boosting the percentage of phagocytosis, phagocytic index and the level of lysozyme. Resveratrol also enhanced antigen presentation function of PM by upregulating the expressions of CD86 and MHC-II. Further study revealed that resveratrol could increase the protein levels of TLR4, Ikk, IκBα, NF-κB and JNK when compared with non-adjuvant group. These results provide further insight into the mechanism of action in adjuvant activity of resveratrol, and also offer preclinical evidence for development as a PRV vaccine adjuvant.