Immunomodulating actions of carotenoids: enhancement of in vivo and in vitro antibody production to T-dependent antigens.
Previously, we demonstrated an enhancement of in vitro antibody (Ab) production in response to T-dependent antigens (TD-Ag) by astaxanthin, a carotenoid without vitamin A activity. The effects of beta-carotene, a carotenoid with vitamin A activity, and lutein, another carotenoid without vitamin A activity, on in vitro Ab production were examined with spleen cells from young and old B6 mice. In addition, the in vivo effects of lutein, astaxanthin, and beta-carotene on Ab production were studied in young and old B6 mice. Lutein, but not beta-carotene, enhanced in vitro Ab production in response to TD-Ags. The depletion of T-helper cells prevented the enhancement of Ab production by lutein and astaxanthin. In vivo Ab production in response to TD-Ag was significantly enhanced by lutein, astaxanthin, and beta-carotene. The numbers of immunoglobulin M- and G-secreting cells also increased in vivo with the administration of these carotenoids when mice were primed with TD-Ags. Antibody production in response to TD-Ags in vivo and in vitro was significantly lower in old than in young B6 mice. Astaxanthin supplements partially restored decreased in vivo Ab production in response to TD-Ags in old B6 mice. Lutein and beta-carotene also enhanced in vivo Ab production in response to TD-Ags in old B6 mice, although to a lesser extent than did astaxanthin. However, none of the carotenoids had an effect on in vivo or in vitro Ab production in response to T-independent antigen. These results indicate significant immunomodulating actions of carotenoids for humoral immune responses to TD-Ags and suggest that carotenoid supplementation may be beneficial in restoring humoral immune responses in older animals.
Jyonouchi
H
H
Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
Zhang
L
L
Gross
M
M
Tomita
Y
Y
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent / Q000276:immunology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000502:physiology; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000941:Antigens; D000955:Antigens, T-Independent; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; C005948:astaxanthine