Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharides inhibit Pseudorabies virus replication via downregulating virus-induced autophagy.

Abstract

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is one of the common pathogens in farms. Platycodon grandiflorus polysaccharide (PGPS) has been reported with a variety of biological activities. Autophagy is one of the vital mechanisms for cells to cope with virus infection, and it may also inhibit or promote virus replication. This study was conducted to investigate the antiviral activity of total PGPS(PGPSagainst PRV and the role of virus-induced autophagy in the anti-PRV effect of PGPSin PK-15 cells. First, we established an infection model and detected the autophagy induced by PRV in PK-15 cells. Then, the protective effect of PGPSagainst PRV was evaluated, and the effect of PGPSon PRV replication and virus-induced autophagy were analysed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot and confocal immunofluorescence. Results showed that PGPScan reduce the PRV replication. PRV infection resulted in the accumulation of autophagosomes, which were inhibited by PGPS. Moreover, PGPSupregulated the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway repressed by PRV infection, whereas rapamycin attenuated the anti-PRV effect of PGPS. These findings suggest that PGPSpossess a protective effect against PRV infection and can inhibit PRV replication through relieving PRV-induced autophagy. This article can provide ideas for the development of antiviral drugs.