GMI is a type of fungal immunomodulatory protein (FIP). Currently, more than 38 types of FIP have been identified worldwide, but with few studies on its anti-inflammatory effects, especially in regards to the mechanisms of inflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2. This study is the first to validate the mechanisms of viral subunits inducing inflammation in mouse and human macrophages, without using real viruses or human ACE transgenic mice. This approach allows for the rapid screening of potential anti-inflammatory drugs or foods.
The research findings demonstrate that GMI can reduce the anti-inflammatory response caused by SARS-CoV-2-E. Therefore, leading to future clinical trials that can strive to understand how GMI reduces the risk of COVID-19 patients developing severe symptoms and hopefully lessen the severity of lung injurys.
This research has been officially published in the "International Journal of Biological Macromolecules," and the full article can be accessed at the following website: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1h0rjWFfgt884.