Professor Kim Jun-seop, Department of Biotechnology, Nano-bioengineering major, Incheon National University

A joint research team led by Professor Kim Jun-seop, a nanobioengineering major at Incheon National University, revealed the molecular mechanism of immune control and antiviral effects of 3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL), one of the HMOs.

3-FL is one of the important oligosaccharides in human breast milk and is known to be one of the major components of breast milk oligosaccharides, especially along with 2-FL. 3-FL has been shown to be beneficial for the health and development of newborns, and is also known as prebiotics, which promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

The research team confirmed that 3-FL regulates immune responses to viral infections such as influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, and in particular, before infection, it increases interferon receptors and lowers the e-x-p-r-e-s-s-i-o-n of interferon-regulated genes, thereby strengthening the antiviral response. It was also confirmed that viral replication was suppressed by increasing the production of nitric oxide in cells and promoting the inflow of white blood cells into the infection site. 

These findings reveal the molecular mechanism by which 3-FL has antiviral effects, which is expected to help develop new antiviral drugs in the future.

Kim Jun-seop of Incheon National University, Kwon Dae-hyuk of Sungkyunkwan University, and Jeon Young-joon participated as corresponding authors, and the results of this study were published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, IF=10.8, a prestigious international academic journal in the field of pharmacy, and were recognized for their excellence.