Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses

IntroductionAn effective vaccination policy must be implemented to prevent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, the currently used vaccines for FMD have several limitations, including induction of humoral rather than cellular immune responses.MethodsTo overcome these shortcomings, we assessed the...

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Main Authors: Gang Sik Kim, Dong Yun Kwak, Hyeong Won Kim, Seokwon Shin, Mi-Kyeong Ko, Seong Yun Hwang, So Hui Park, Dong Hyeon Kim, Jong-Hyeon Park, Su-Mi Kim, Min Ja Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1493561/full
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author Gang Sik Kim
Dong Yun Kwak
Hyeong Won Kim
Seokwon Shin
Mi-Kyeong Ko
Seong Yun Hwang
So Hui Park
Dong Hyeon Kim
Jong-Hyeon Park
Su-Mi Kim
Min Ja Lee
author_facet Gang Sik Kim
Dong Yun Kwak
Hyeong Won Kim
Seokwon Shin
Mi-Kyeong Ko
Seong Yun Hwang
So Hui Park
Dong Hyeon Kim
Jong-Hyeon Park
Su-Mi Kim
Min Ja Lee
author_sort Gang Sik Kim
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAn effective vaccination policy must be implemented to prevent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, the currently used vaccines for FMD have several limitations, including induction of humoral rather than cellular immune responses.MethodsTo overcome these shortcomings, we assessed the efficacy of levamisole, a small-molecule immunomodulator, as an adjuvant for the FMD vaccine. We conducted in vitro studies using murine peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) and porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in vivo studies using mice (experimental animals) and pigs (target animals). We evaluated levamisole-mediated modulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses; early, mid-term, and long-term immune-inducing effects; modes of action; and host defense against viral infection.ResultsLevamisole treatment promoted IFNγ secretion in murine PECs and porcine PBMCs. Additionally, it induced robust and long-lasting immune responses by eliciting high antibody titers and high virus-neutralizing antibody titers. By activating downstream signaling pathways of various pattern-recognition receptors, levamisole stimulated the expression of multiple cytokines and costimulatory molecules. Owing to these immunostimulatory effects, levamisole elicited host defense against viral infections in pigs. Our findings demonstrate the potential of levamisole as an immunostimulatory agent.DiscussionThe results also indicate that levamisole, as an adjuvant for animal vaccines, can elicit robust innate and adaptive immune responses, thereby enhancing host defense against viral infections. This study provides a promising approach for the development of improved FMD vaccine strategies in the future.
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spelling doaj-art-9f3e54df492d4d9dbe34d0dae11701432025-01-08T06:12:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-01-011510.3389/fmicb.2024.14935611493561Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responsesGang Sik KimDong Yun KwakHyeong Won KimSeokwon ShinMi-Kyeong KoSeong Yun HwangSo Hui ParkDong Hyeon KimJong-Hyeon ParkSu-Mi KimMin Ja LeeIntroductionAn effective vaccination policy must be implemented to prevent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, the currently used vaccines for FMD have several limitations, including induction of humoral rather than cellular immune responses.MethodsTo overcome these shortcomings, we assessed the efficacy of levamisole, a small-molecule immunomodulator, as an adjuvant for the FMD vaccine. We conducted in vitro studies using murine peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) and porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in vivo studies using mice (experimental animals) and pigs (target animals). We evaluated levamisole-mediated modulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses; early, mid-term, and long-term immune-inducing effects; modes of action; and host defense against viral infection.ResultsLevamisole treatment promoted IFNγ secretion in murine PECs and porcine PBMCs. Additionally, it induced robust and long-lasting immune responses by eliciting high antibody titers and high virus-neutralizing antibody titers. By activating downstream signaling pathways of various pattern-recognition receptors, levamisole stimulated the expression of multiple cytokines and costimulatory molecules. Owing to these immunostimulatory effects, levamisole elicited host defense against viral infections in pigs. Our findings demonstrate the potential of levamisole as an immunostimulatory agent.DiscussionThe results also indicate that levamisole, as an adjuvant for animal vaccines, can elicit robust innate and adaptive immune responses, thereby enhancing host defense against viral infections. This study provides a promising approach for the development of improved FMD vaccine strategies in the future.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1493561/fulllevamisolevaccine adjuvanthost defenseimmunomodulationinnate and adaptive immunity
spellingShingle Gang Sik Kim
Dong Yun Kwak
Hyeong Won Kim
Seokwon Shin
Mi-Kyeong Ko
Seong Yun Hwang
So Hui Park
Dong Hyeon Kim
Jong-Hyeon Park
Su-Mi Kim
Min Ja Lee
Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses
Frontiers in Microbiology
levamisole
vaccine adjuvant
host defense
immunomodulation
innate and adaptive immunity
title Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses
title_full Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses
title_fullStr Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses
title_full_unstemmed Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses
title_short Levamisole, as a viral vaccine adjuvant, induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses
title_sort levamisole as a viral vaccine adjuvant induces robust host defense through the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses
topic levamisole
vaccine adjuvant
host defense
immunomodulation
innate and adaptive immunity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1493561/full
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