Transfer factor

A novel extract from bovine colostrum whey supports anti-bacterial and anti-viral innate immune functions in vitro and in vivo: I. Enhanced immune activity in vitro translates to improved microbial clearance in animal infection models

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate effects on the innate immune system after exposure to, a consumable low-molecular weight fraction (CLMWF) of immunoglobulin-depleted bovine colostrum whey.

METHODOLOGY

Cell-based immune assays were performed in vitro, and host resistance towards bacterial and viral infection was evaluated in two mouse studies.

RESULTS

In vitro data showed a multimodal effect, as CLMWF treatment resulted in a rapid increase in phagocytosis. CLMWF increased chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear cells towards the bacterial peptide f-MLP. CLMWF treatment of natural killer cells increased expression of the CD69 activation marker. Mononuclear phagocytes showed decreased numbers of CD14(bright) and increased number of CD14(dim) cells. The remaining CD14(bright) cells showed reduced expression of CD80 and CD86, whereas CD14(dim) cells showed increased expression of CD80 and CD86, suggesting dendritic cell maturation. Mouse models were applied to evaluate the immune-modulating capacity of CLMWF when consumed acutely during bacterial (Streptococcus) and viral (Influenza) infections in vivo. Reduced bacterial and viral loads were observed in lungs within 24h. Viral load was also reduced when CLMWF was introduced intranasally.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that the support of antimicrobial immune defense mechanisms and maturation of antigen-presenting cells in vitro translates to protection in vivo when product is introduced across mucosal membranes.

Some properties and protective activity of specific DLE against Salmonella cholerae suis infection

From a rabbit lymphoid tissue, twice immunized with a Salmonella ch. suis vaccine, was obtained a dialysable leucocyte extract (DLE) (m. w. 10,000Da; protein content 1.14 mg/ml; content of ribose 2.7 mg/ml; A260/A280 ratio 2.17 and pH 6.8). By gel filtration on Sephadex G-25, six peaks were obtained and activity was found in peak IV. The activity of the extract was determined by a dermo-application test (DAT) on 10 cows. The protective effect was tested by a challenge with Salmonella ch. suis and Salmonella dublin pathogen strains on white mice intraperitoneally treated with DLE. The DAT proved to be positive in 8 of the 10 cows. When applied on white mice, it induced a high specific protective effect against Salmonella ch. suis (70%), but not against Salmonella dublin infection.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of transfer factor as adjuvant therapy for malignant melanoma

One hundred and sixty-eight evaluable patients participated in a randomized, double-blind study of transfer factor (TF) versus placebo as surgical adjuvant therapy of Stage I and Stage II malignant melanoma. Eighty-five patients received TF prepared from the leukocytes of healthy volunteer donors; eighty-three participants received placebo. Therapy was initiated within 90 days of resection of all evident tumor and continued until 2 years of disease-free survival or the occurrence of unresectable dissemination of melanoma. Known prognostic variables were similarly distributed in the treatment and control groups, documenting the randomization efficacy. Three endpoints were analyzed: disease-free interval, time to Stage III metastasis, and survival. After a median follow-up period of 24.75 months, there was a trend in favor of the placebo group with regard to all three endpoints and this was significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) for time to Stage III metastasis. These findings indicate that TF is not effective as surgical adjuvant therapy of malignant melanoma.