The protective effect of Tilia amurensis honey on influenza A virus infection through stimulation of interferon-mediated IFITM3 signaling

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy Vol. 153; p. 113259
• Main Authors: Kwon, Eun-Bin, Kim, Young Soo, Han, Sang Mi, Kim, Se-Gun, Choi, Jang-Gi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.09.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: IFITM3; Influenza A virus; Interferon; ISGs; Tilia amurensis honey; IFN; IFITM3; TH; ISGs; Influenza A virus; Interferon; TBK; Tilia amurensis honey; IAV
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113259

Recently, attention has focused on the prevention and treatment of respiratory viruses including influenza viruses. We evaluated the antiviral effect of Tilia amurensis honey (TH) against influenza A virus in murine macrophages. Influenza A virus infection was reduced following pretreatment with TH. Pretreatment of murine macrophages with TH increased the production and secretion of type-1 interferon (IFN) and proinflammatory cytokines and increased phosphorylation of the type-1 IFN-related proteins, TANK-binding kinase (TBK), and STAT. Moreover, TH increased the expression of IFN-stimulating genes and increased the expression of IFN-inducible transmembrane (IFITM3), a protein that interferes with virus replication and entry. Taken together, these findings suggest that TH suppresses influenza A virus infection by regulating the innate immune response in macrophages. This supports the development of preventive and therapeutic agents for influenza A virus and enhances the economic value of TH. [Display omitted] •TH inhibit infection of influenza A virus in murine macrophages.•TH activates the type-1 interferon related pathway including TBK-STAT signaling.•TH increases expression of IFN-stimulating genes (ISG’s) and IFN-inducible transmembrane 3 (IFITM3)•TH could be a potential preventive and therapeutic agents for influenza A virus by modulating the regulates innate immune response.