Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is well characterized as an inducer of anti-viral interferon responses. We previously reported that dsRNA extracted from a specific edible plant possesses an immune-modulating capacity to confer, in mice, resistance against respiratory viruses, including the H1N1 strain of the influenza A virus (IAV). We report here that the systemic immune-activating capacity of the plant-derived dsRNA protected mice from infection by a highly virulent H5N1 strain of the IAV. In addition, subcutaneous inoculation of the dsRNA together with the inactivated virion of the H5N1 strain of the IAV suppressed the lethality of the viral infection as compared with individual inoculation of either dsRNA or HA protein, suggesting its potential usage as a vaccination adjuvant. Moreover, intra-peritoneal inoculation of the dsRNA limited the growth of B16-F10 melanoma cells through the activation of NK cells in murine models. Taken together, this study demonstrated the systemic immune-modulating capacity of a plant-derived dsRNA and its potential for nucleic acid-based clinical applications.

中文翻译：

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植物来源的dsRNA具有广泛而系统的免疫调节能力。

双链RNA（dsRNA）被很好地表征为抗病毒干扰素反应的诱导剂。我们先前曾报道过，从特定食用植物中提取的dsRNA具有免疫调节能力，可在小鼠中赋予对呼吸道病毒（包括A型流感病毒H1N1株）的抗性。我们在这里报告，植物来源的dsRNA的全身免疫激活能力保护小鼠免受IAV的高毒力H5N1株感染。此外，与单独接种dsRNA或HA蛋白相比，皮下接种dsRNA以及IAV H5N1菌株的灭活病毒体均抑制了病毒感染的致死性，这表明其可能用作疫苗佐剂。此外，dsRNA的腹膜内接种通过在小鼠模型中激活NK细胞而限制了B16-F10黑色素瘤细胞的生长。综上所述，这项研究证明了植物来源的dsRNA的全身免疫调节能力及其在基于核酸的临床应用中的潜力。