Immunoregulatory effects of Imuno TF (transfer factors) on Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cytokines

Abstract

Transfer factors are known since 1955 due to their activities on the immune system. Although the reports on the effects on diverse immune mechanisms, their role on Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg responses was still not described. In this sense, the present work focused on the evaluation of such immune responses. For that, human lymphocytes, and mice thymic, splenic and Peyers cells were stimulated with Lipopolysaccharides and Concanavalin A, and then treated with isolated transfer factors (Imuno TF(R)). The culture medium was harvested and the quantification of Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-{gamma}), Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13), Th17 cytokine (IL- 17), Treg cytokine (IL-35), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-), and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) was performed, as well as the quantification of mRNA levels. Imuno TF(R) positively regulated Th1 cytokines, while decreased Th2 cytokines. It also increased levels of mRNA and secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, whereas it reduced levels of mRNA and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-. Finally, it reversed the hypersecretion of IL-17 and did not promote significant changes in IL-35 secretion. This highlights the role of Imuno TF(R) in the regulation of the immune responses.