Photosynthetically Controlled Spirulina, but Not Solar Spirulina, Inhibits TNF-α Secretion: Potential Implications for COVID-19-Related Cytokine Storm Therapy

An array of infections, including the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), trigger macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and subsequently hypercytokinemia , commonly referred to as a cytokine storm (CS). It is postulated that CS is mainly responsible for critical COVID-19 cases, including acute respirator...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2021-02, Vol.23 (1), p.149-155
Main Authors: Tzachor, Asaf, Rozen, Or, Khatib, Soliman, Jensen, Sophie, Avni, Dorit
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
Animal models
Aquatic plants
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Cell activation
Cell Extracts - pharmacology
Cell Extracts - therapeutic use
Cells, Cultured
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
COVID-19 - complications
COVID-19 - therapy
Cyanobacteria
Cytokine Release Syndrome - etiology
Cytokine Release Syndrome - therapy
Cytokine storm
Cytokines
Engineering
Freshwater & Marine Ecology
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
In vivo methods and tests
Life Sciences
Light emitting diodes
Lipopolysaccharides
Macrophages
Macrophages - drug effects
Microbiology
Monocytes
Monocytes - drug effects
Original
Original Article
Respiratory distress syndrome
Secretion
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Spirulina
Spirulina - chemistry
Tumor necrosis factor-α
Viral diseases
Zoology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:An array of infections, including the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), trigger macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and subsequently hypercytokinemia , commonly referred to as a cytokine storm (CS). It is postulated that CS is mainly responsible for critical COVID-19 cases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Recognizing the therapeutic potential of Spirulina blue-green algae ( Arthrospira platensis ), in this in vitro stimulation study, LPS-activated macrophages and monocytes were treated with aqueous extracts of Spirulina, cultivated in either natural or controlled light conditions. We report that an extract of photosynthetically controlled Spirulina (LED Spirulina), at a concentration of 0.1 µg/mL, decreases macrophage and monocyte-induced TNF-α secretion levels by over 70% and 40%, respectively. We propose prompt in vivo studies in animal models and human subjects to determine the putative effectiveness of a natural, algae-based treatment for viral CS and ARDS, and explore the potential of a novel anti-TNF-α therapy. Graphical abstract
ISSN:1436-2228
1436-2236
DOI:10.1007/s10126-021-10020-z