Immunomodulatory activity of a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from mussel on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressive mice models

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of mussel polysaccharide (MP) on cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced intestinal mucosal immunosuppression and microbial dysbiosis in mice. MP was shown to stimulate secretion of cytokines (SIgA, IL-2, IF-gamma, IL-4, IL-10) and production of transcription factors (occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1, mucin-2, IL-2, IF-gamma, IL-4, IL-10). Key proteins (p-I kappa B-alpha, p-p65) of the NF-kappa B pathway were upregulated after MP administration. SCFAs levels, which were decreased after the Cy treatment, were improved after treatment with MP. Furthermore, 16 S rRNA sequencing data of fecal samples revealed, through alpha-diversity and beta-diversity analysis, that MP improved microbial community diversity and modulate the overall composition of gut microbiota. Taxonomic composition analysis showed that MP increased the abundance of probiotics species (Lactobacillus) and decreased the proportion of pathogenic species (Desulfovibrio). These findings suggested that MP has a potential immunomodulatory activity on the immunosuppressive mice.

Automated summary

This study investigated the protective effect of mussel polysaccharide (MP) on cyclophosphamide-induced intestinal mucosal immunosuppression and microbial dysbiosis in mice. The results showed that MP can stimulate cytokine secretion and transcription factor production, activate the NF-kappa B pathway, and improve short-chain fatty acid levels. In addition, MP can modulate gut microbiota composition, increasing the abundance of probiotics and reducing the proportion of pathogenic species. These findings suggest that MP has potential immunomodulatory activity and can improve gut health.