Immunomodulatory activity of protein hydrolysates derived from Virgibacillus halodenitrificans SK1-3-7 proteinase

Tidarat Toopcham1, Jurriaan J Mes2, Harry J Wichers2

  • 1School of Food Technology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand.

Food Chemistry
|February 5, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Tilapia, casein, and pea protein hydrolysates modulate immune responses in macrophages. Casein and pea protein hydrolysates exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, while tilapia hydrolysate enhances innate immunity, suggesting potential as functional food ingredients.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Food Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Protein hydrolysates are increasingly explored for their bioactive properties.
  • Understanding their immunomodulatory effects is crucial for developing functional foods.
  • Virgibacillus halodenitrificans SK1-3-7 proteinase is a potential enzyme for protein hydrolysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of protein hydrolysates from tilapia mince, casein, and pea protein on THP-1 macrophages.
  • To evaluate the potential of these hydrolysates as functional food ingredients.

Main Methods:

  • Protein substrates (tilapia mince, casein, pea protein) were hydrolyzed using Virgibacillus halodenitrificans SK1-3-7 proteinase.
  • The degree of hydrolysis (DH) was monitored.
  • THP-1 macrophages were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with protein hydrolysates.
  • Expression of inflammation-related genes (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, COX-2) was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Tilapia mince hydrolysate (TMH) enhanced innate immunity by inducing IL-1β and COX-2 expression.
  • Casein hydrolysate (CH) and pea protein hydrolysate (PPH) demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by attenuating LPS-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression.
  • CH suppressed IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and COX-2, while PPH reduced IL-6 and TNF-α responses.
  • CH and PPH showed greater suppression of pro-inflammatory gene expression compared to their non-hydrolyzed counterparts.

Conclusions:

  • Protein hydrolysates derived from tilapia mince, casein, and pea protein, prepared using V. halodenitrificans SK1-3-7 proteinase, possess distinct immunomodulatory activities.
  • TMH enhances innate immunity, while CH and PPH exhibit significant anti-inflammatory properties.
  • These hydrolysates represent promising functional food ingredients for modulating immune responses.