-Glucan Induces Training Immunity to Promote Antiviral Activity by Activating TBK1

Many studies have shown that beta-glucan induces a trained immune phenotype in innate immune cells to defend against bacterial and fungal infections. The specific mechanism involves cellular metabolism and epigenetic reprogramming. However, it is unclear whether beta-glucan plays a role in antiviral infection. Therefore, this study investigated the role of trained immunity induced by Candida albicans and beta-glucan in antiviral innate immunity. It showed that C. albicans and beta-glucan promoted the expression of interferon- beta (IFN-beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mouse macrophages triggered by viral infection. In addition, beta-glucan pretreatment attenuated the pathological damage induced by the virus in mouse lungs and promoted the expression of IFN-beta. Mechanistically, figlucan could promote the phosphorylation and ubiquitination of TANK Binding Kinase 1 (TBK1), a key protein of the innate immune pathway. These results suggest that beta-glucan can promote innate antiviral immunity, and this bioactive material may be a potential therapeutic target for antiviral treatment.