Related Experiment Videos
B cell stimulating activity of seaweed extracts
1Department of Immunology and Parasitology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
International Journal of Immunopharmacology
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Seaweed extracts stimulate B cells and macrophages, enhancing immune responses. These findings suggest potential clinical applications for modulating immunity using these natural compounds.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Marine Biotechnology
Background:
- Seaweed extracts are known for various biological activities.
- The immunomodulatory effects of specific seaweed compounds require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effects of seaweed extracts on murine and human lymphocytes.
- To identify the immune cells targeted by seaweed extracts and the underlying mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- In vitro stimulation of mouse spleen cells and human lymphocytes with seaweed extracts.
- Flow cytometry and cell proliferation assays.
- B cell identification using anti-immunoglobulin antibody and complement treatment, and nylon wool column separation.
- Assessment of immunoglobulin (Ig) production and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production.
Main Results:
- Seaweed extracts from Hizikia fusiformis and Meristotheca papulosa stimulated proliferation of normal mouse spleen cells, identified as B cells.
- The stimulatory effect was not due to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contamination, as evidenced by responses in LPS low-responder C3H/HeJ mice.
- Seaweed extracts enhanced Ig production by B cells and TNF production by macrophages.
- Human lymphocytes also showed proliferation in response to seaweed extracts.
- The B cell stimulating activity was linked to glycoproteins with molecular weights around 100 kD.
Conclusions:
- Seaweed extracts possess significant B cell and macrophage stimulating activities.
- These activities suggest a potential role for seaweed extracts in clinical applications for immune response modulation.