Centre for the Study of Existential Risk & Cambridge Global Food Security Research Center, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Sphingolipids, Active Metabolites and Immune Modulation Laboratory, MIGAL - Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shemona, Israel.
Mar Biotechnol (NY). 2021 Feb;23(1):149-155. doi: 10.1007/s10126-021-10020-z. Epub 2021 Feb 10.
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.
一系列感染，包括新型冠状病毒（SARS-CoV-2），会引发巨噬细胞活化综合征（MAS），进而导致细胞因子过度释放，通常被称为细胞因子风暴（CS）。据推测，CS 是导致 COVID-19 重症病例的主要原因，包括急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）。鉴于蓝绿藻（螺旋藻）的治疗潜力，在这项体外刺激研究中，用天然或控制光照条件下培养的螺旋藻的水提物处理脂多糖激活的巨噬细胞和单核细胞。我们报告称，浓度为 0.1 µg/mL 的光合控制螺旋藻（LED 螺旋藻）提取物可使巨噬细胞和单核细胞诱导的 TNF-α 分泌水平分别降低超过 70%和 40%。我们建议在动物模型和人类受试者中立即进行体内研究，以确定基于天然藻类的治疗病毒 CS 和 ARDS 的潜在有效性，并探索新型抗 TNF-α 疗法的潜力。
