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Modulation of immune responses by bovine β‐casein
Author(s) -
WONG CHUN W,
SEOW HENG F,
LIU AI H,
HUSBAND ALAN J,
SMITHERS GEOFFREY W,
WATSON DENNIS L
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1996.58
Subject(s) - immune system , ovalbumin , casein , in vitro , adjuvant , in vivo , beta (programming language) , biology , cytokine , stimulation , chemistry , immunology , endocrinology , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science , programming language
Summary The present study reports the influence of bovine β‐casein on in vitro and in vivo immune responses. Bovine β‐casein showed an inhibitory effect on ovine neutrophil chemotaxis but had an enhancing effect on superoxide production by neutrophils. In response to mitogenic stimulation, the proliferative response of both T and B lymphocytes was significantly enhanced by β‐casein. While β‐casein had no significant effects on IFNγ production by ovine blood lymphocytes, and TNFα production and MHC Class II antigen expression by ovine bronchoalveolar macrophages, it enhanced IL‐1β production by the macrophages. β‐casein also had no influence on bovine NK cell activity against a virally‐infected cell line. Interestingly, β‐casein was found to reduce the adjuvant effect of matrix immune stimulating complexes (ISCOM) on anti‐ovalbumin antibody response in mice when given intramuscularly. Taken together, the results suggest that bovine β‐casein had selective modulating effects in vitro on both innate and adaptive immune responses in ruminants, whereas systemic administration of β‐casein, that might have a depressive effect on adjuvant activity, requires further study.