Role of cordycepin in resisting Neospora caninum infection
10.16303/j.cnki.1005-4545.2025.06.15
- VernacularTitle:虫草素抗新孢子虫感染的作用研究
- Author:
Zhengkai WEI
1
;
Rongsheng HUANG
;
Xi JIANG
;
Dezhi ZHANG
;
Quan LIU
;
Qianyong LI
;
Zhengtao YANG
Author Information
1. 西南大学动物医学院,重庆荣昌 402460
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Neospora caninum;
cordycepin;
bovine;
macrophages;
cytokines;
interferon
- From:
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science
2025;45(6):1218-1224
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Bovine neosporosis,a significant disease affecting the livestock industry,is caused by the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum(N.caninum).The current absence of efficacious vaccines and therapeutics necessitates the exploration of novel interventions.Cordycepin,a bioactive nucleo-side derived from Cordyceps militaris,has garnered attention for its diverse pharmacological properties.This study endeavors to elucidate the inhibitory effects of cordycepin on N.caninum in-fection.The cytotoxicity of cordycepin to bovine macrophages was assessed using the CCK-8 assay to ascertain a non-toxic concentration range.The impact of cordycepin on the N.caninum burden within bovine macrophages was evaluated using qPCR analysis and immunofluorescence assays.Additionally,the modulation of cytokine,interferon,and defensin expression induced by N.cani-num in the presence of cordycepin was examined through qRT-PCR analysis.The results showed that cordycepin exhibited negligible cytotoxicity to bovine macrophages at concentrations ranging from 2.812 5 to 180.000 0 μmol/L,compared to the control group.At concentrations of 5.625 0,11.250 0,and 22.500 0 μmol/L,cordycepin significantly reduced the intracellular N.caninum loads and diminished the intensity of intracellular parasite fluorescence.While N.caninum infection downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6,cordycepin treatment robustly induced their expression.Furthermore,although cordycepin treatment reduced the expression levels of IFN-α,IFN-β,and IFN-γ that were upregulated by N.caninum infection,it maintained substantial expression levels.In conclusion,cordycepin demon-strates a promising resistance against N.caninum infection,suggesting its potential as a therapeu-tic agent for the treatment of bovine neosporosis.
