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

• Published in: Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 149 - 155
• Main Authors: Tzachor, Asaf, Rozen, Or, Khatib, Soliman, Jensen, Sophie, Avni, Dorit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: acute respiratory distress syndrome; Algae; Animal models; Aquatic plants; Arthrospira platensis; Biomedical and Life Sciences; biotechnology; Cell activation; Cell Extracts - pharmacology; Cell Extracts - therapeutic use; Cells, Cultured; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - therapy; COVID-19 infection; 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; macrophage activation; Macrophages; Macrophages - drug effects; Microbiology; Monocytes; Monocytes - drug effects; Original; Original Article; photosynthesis; Respiratory distress syndrome; Secretion; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spirulina; Spirulina - chemistry; therapeutics; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Viral diseases; Zoology; COVID-19; Anti TNF-α therapy; Biotechnology; Spirulina; Immunology; Cytokine storm
• ISSN: 1436-2228; 1436-2236; 1436-2236
• DOI: 10.1007/s10126-021-10020-z

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