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.
Dr Dorit Avni heads the Sphingolipids and Bio-active Natural based Compounds as Immune Modulators Laboratory, at MIGAL Galilee Research Institute. She specializes in in-vitro, ex-vivo and pre-clinical models, and practices a transdisciplinary approach in her research, employing genomic, immunologic, and metabolomic techniques. Her laboratory applies bio-active metabolites as immune system regulators aiming to prevent (functional food/food supplement) as well as develops novel platforms to treat (pharma) unmet diseases, such as COVID-19, IBD, NAFLD, TNBC, and liver cancer. PhD (Tel-Aviv University, IL) focused on novel pathways for the regulation of cytokines release Post-doctoral fellowship (Massey cancer canter-VCU, USA) focused on sphingolipids in inflammation and cancer.
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