Yingjie Qing,Jiaqing Liu,Wei Hong,Luhua Zou,Lu Zhong,Peng Cao
{"title":"Cynarin Targets\u0000Host CX3CR1 for Dual-Action Prophylaxis\u0000against RSV Infection and Pulmonary Pathology","authors":"Yingjie Qing,Jiaqing Liu,Wei Hong,Luhua Zou,Lu Zhong,Peng Cao","doi":"10.1021/acs.jafc.6c04350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6c04350","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Safe, small-molecule prophylactic agents against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are critically lacking. Here, we identify Cynarin, an artichoke-derived dietary polyphenol, as a micromolar affinity CX3CR1 antagonist. Mechanistically, Cynarin confers dual-action protection through two distinct routes: it acts as a “chemical shield” to competitively block viral entry at the epithelial interface by binding CX3CR1, and through a separate CX3CR1-independent mechanism, exhibits intrinsic, virus-independent anti-inflammatory properties by directly suppressing macrophage activation. This target-based interaction was rigorously validated via biochemical and functional assays. In an RSV-infected mouse model, prophylactic administration of Cynarin demonstrated superior efficacy over therapeutic treatment. It significantly reduced pulmonary viral load, ameliorated lung consolidation, and potently suppressed the RSV-induced cytokine storm. Collectively, our findings establish a novel host-directed strategy utilizing Cynarin to target CX3CR1, highlighting the translational potential of food-derived bioactives in offering a dual prophylactic safeguard against viral infection and associated pulmonary pathology.","PeriodicalId":41,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149209810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}