Immunological studies of Morinda officinalis: How polysaccharides act as adjuvants

Abstract

Morinda officinalis polysaccharides (MOPS) were investigated for their physicochemical properties, monosaccharide composition, and immune-modulating effects in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, MOPS significantly promoted lymphocyte proliferation and increased IFN-γ and IL-4 secretion. In vivo, MOPS acted as adjuvant, which significantly up-regulated HBsAg-specific IgG and IgG isotype levels, promoted antigen-specific T cell proliferation and cytokine (IL-2 and IL-5) production, and induced CTL and NK cytotoxicity. Moreover, MOPS increased DC maturation. Overall, MOPS can serve as an adjuvant to promote humoral and cellular immune responses via promoting DC maturation, suggesting that MOPS may have potentials as a natural immune-enhancing agent.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Adjuvant
• Morinda officinalis How polysaccharide
• rHBsAg

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The project was Supported by the national Natural Science Foundation of China [Project No. 31872511] and Applied Basic Research Program of Sichuan Province [Project No. 2021YJ0289] and in part by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [Project No. 2020NYB22].