Immunomodulatory activities of whey fractions in efferent prefemoral lymph of sheep

Abstract

SummaryStudies on the immunomodulatory activities of ruminant milk and colostral whey fractions were undertaken. By comparing with boiled colostral whey in a preliminary experiment, a putative heat-labile immunostimulatory factor for antibody responses was found to be present in ovine colostral whey. Studies were then undertaken in sheep in which the efferent prefemoral lymphatic ducts were cannulated bilaterally, and immune responses in the node were measured following subcutaneous injection in the flank fold of whey protein preparations of various purities. A significant sustained decline of efferent lymphocyte output was observed following injection with autologous crude milk whey or colostral whey preparations, but no changes were observed in interferon-gamma levels in lymph plasma. Two bovine milk whey fractions (lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin) of high purity were compared in bilaterally cannulated sheep. A transient decline over the first 6 h was seen in the efferent lymphocyte output and lymph flow rate after injection of both fractions. A significant difference was seen between the two fractions in interferongamma levels in lymph at 6 h after injection. However, no significant changes in the proportion of the various efferent lymphocyte phenotypes were seen following either treatment. Whereas both fractions showed a significant inhibitory effect in a dose-dependent manner on the proliferative response of T lymphocytes, but not B lymphocytes, to mitogenic stimulation in vitro, no similar changes were seen following in vivo stimulation with these two fractions.

Enhancement of Mucosal Antibody Responses by Dietary Whey Protein Concentrate

“…In addition to economic loss, the current methods of disposal of whey create environmental problems; 100 l of whey has the polluting strength of sewage from 45 people (Brown, 1984). Therefore, during the past decade there has been increased interest in finding new economic uses for whey (Wong et al, 1996).…”

“…Many of these proteins have been found to possess a variety of bio-active properties including modulation of the immune system (Stoeck et al, 1989;Mincheva-Nilsson, 1990;Wong et al, 1996Wong et al, , 1997Barta 1991;Monnai et al, 1998). Furthermore, minor changes in dietary amino acid profile, due to consumption of different whey protein mixtures, have been found to modify the immune response without having a significant impact on nutritional status (Bounous & Kongshavn, 1978), suggesting that different WPC preparations can have different effects on the immune system.…”

“…A further study (Wong & Watson, 1995) has provided additional evidence that dietary WPC can enhance antibody responses to systemically-administered antigen in mice, possibly via a mechanism of enhanced lymphocyte activation and cellular function Bounous & Kongshavn, 1985;Wong et al, 1996). Thus, the common paradigm appears to be that some WPCs can potentiate immune activity, in particular B cell production of antibodies in response to systemic immunization Wong & Watson, 1995).…”

Orally administered lactoperoxidase ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by up-regulating colonic interleukin-10 and maintaining peripheral regulatory T cells

“…Studies have shown LPO induces tumor necrosis factor production by macrophages [18] and suppresses interferon (IFN)-γ production by mitogen-stimulated lymphatic cells [19]. Subcutaneously injected LPO reduces efferent lymphocyte output and lymph flow rate in the local lymph nodes of sheep [20]. We found orally administered LPO suppressed symptoms of pneumonia in mice infected with the influenza virus through inhibition of inflammatory cells in the lung and pro-inflammatory cytokines [21]; LPO also upregulated genes inducible by glucocorticoid, a steroidal hormone with anti-inflammatory activity, in the small intestine of mice [22].…”

Orally Administered Lactoperoxidase Increases Expression of the FK506 Binding Protein 5 Gene in Epithelial Cells of the Small Intestine of Mice: A DNA Microarray Study

“…10) Reduced lymphocyte output and lymph flow rate from the local lymph nodes have also been observed in sheep after LPO was injected subcutaneously. 11) There have been few reports on the physiological effects of orally administered LPO, but we recently examined the effect of LPO treatment in a model of pneumonia caused by influenza virus infection in mice.…”