[Transfer factors in medical therapy].
Transfer factor (TF) consists of messenger peptides produced by activated T lymphocytes as part of cellular immunity, and it acts in virgin lymphocytes through TF inducers, suppressors and specific antigens. TF is not immunogenic because it is not species-specific, since it contains a consensus sequence of amino acids LLYAQDL/VEDN. TF extracted from leukocytes can transfer immunity from a human to another species. TF extracts are complex, containing more than 200 molecules with molecular weights ranging from 1 to 20 kDa. The antigen specific transfer factors (STF) have molecular weights between 3,5 and 5 kDa. TF is easy to prepare and well tolerated. It does not contain HL-A antigens against potential receptors and it can used as adjuvant therapy in several diseases.
Sánchez-González
Dolores J
DJ
Subsección de Biología Celular y Tisular, Escuela Médico Militar, Universidad del Ejército y Fuerza Aérea, México DF, México.
Sosa-Luna
Carlos A
CA
Vásquez-Moctezuma
Ismael
I
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry; D016384:Consensus Sequence; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D014165:Transfer Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014165:Transfer Factor