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Published on: September 9, 2012
Activities and characteristics of transfer factors
1Innovative Therapeutics, Inc. Denver, CO, USA.
Biotherapy (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Oral administration of transfer factor is effective, as demonstrated by mouse studies showing no difference in immune response compared to subcutaneous delivery. This research also explores transfer factor
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Transfer factor research investigates immune modulation.
- Skepticism exists regarding oral administration due to gastrointestinal degradation.
- Previous studies utilized oral transfer factor with debated efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of oral transfer factor administration.
- To characterize immune responses in transfer factor recipients.
- To elucidate the structure of transfer factor molecules.
Main Methods:
- Conducted dose-response studies of delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice.
- Administered transfer factor orally (gavage) and subcutaneously.
- Analyzed cytokine secretion (gamma-IFN) in recipients of specific transfer factor.
- Developed a purification process and obtained preliminary amino acid sequence data.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in immune response between oral and subcutaneous transfer factor administration in mice.
- Recipients of specific transfer factor secreted antigen-specific gamma-interferon (IFN).
- Purification process yielded pure transfer factor, with initial amino acid sequence data obtained.
Conclusions:
- Oral administration of transfer factor is an efficacious route.
- Specific transfer factors induce antigen-specific gamma-IFN secretion without other cytokines.
- Ongoing research aims to determine the complete primary structure of transfer factor molecules.
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