Dietary plasma proteins modulate the adaptive immune response in mice with acute lung inflammation

J Nutr. 2012 Feb;142(2):264-70. doi: 10.3945/jn.111.149070. Epub 2012 Jan 5.

Abstract

We examined the effects of oral plasma protein supplements on the pulmonary adaptive immune response in mice challenged with intranasal LPS. C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet or a diet supplemented with plasma proteins [spray-dried plasma (SDP) 80 g/kg] or with an Ig concentrate [(IC) 20 g/kg] from postnatal d 19 (weaning) until d 34. Mice were challenged with PBS or LPS from Escherichia coli at d 33 and killed 24 h later for leukocyte analyses or at d 34 and killed 6 h later for cytokine determination. LPS induced the activation of T helper (Th) lymphocytes in lung and blood and this response was reduced by SDP and IC (P < 0.05). In both tissues, LPS increased the Th1 and Th2 subpopulations and this effect was inhibited by the two plasma protein supplements (P < 0.05). The LPS challenge increased the expression of all the cytokines studied (P < 0.01). SDP and IC reduced the expression of IFNγ, IL-5, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-13, and IL-17 in both tissues, whereas they increased the percentage of regulatory Th lymphocytes in lung, even in PBS-treated mice (P < 0.05). LPS reduced the concentration of mature TGFβ1 (P < 0.05) in the lung but did not modify the expression of IL-10. Mice exposed to LPS and supplemented with SDP or IC showed an increased expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P < 0.05). Moreover, the two supplements increased the concentration of IL-10 in intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05). Our results show that plasma supplementation reduces the immune response that characterizes the acute lung inflammation syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / immunology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dietary Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / therapy
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity
  • Lung / cytology
  • Lung / immunology*
  • Lung Diseases / immunology
  • Lung Diseases / therapy*
  • Lymphocytes / classification
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Random Allocation

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides