Cited by 56Immune Cell Function and InteractionSeaweed-derived Bioactive CompoundsImmunotherapy and Immune Responses

Enhancement of Natural Killer Cell Activity in Healthy Subjects by Immulina®, a Spirulina Extract Enriched for Braun-Type Lipoproteins

Nielsen, Claus, Balachandran, Premalatha, Christensen, Ole, Pugh, Nirmal, Tamta, Hemlata, Sufka, Kenneth, Wu, Xiangmei, Walsted, Anette +3 more·2010·Planta Medica

Abstract

Immulina®, a commercial extract of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis is a potent activator of THP-1 monocytes and CD4+ T cells IN VITRO and enhances several immunological functions in mice. We further characterized Immulina® by determining that Braun-type lipoproteins are responsible for a major portion of the IN VITRO monocyte activation exhibited by this material. In order to understand the effect of Immulina® on NK cell activity, a pilot study was conducted on ten healthy North American individuals who supplemented their diet with Immulina® (400 mg/day) for seven days. We observed a 40% average increase in the killing of K562 tumor cells by NK cells (p < 0.01) after Immulina® supplementation. In a separate placebo-controlled, crossover study involving 11 healthy Danish subjects, we observed increased mRNA expression of the NK cell marker NKG2D by 37% (p = 0.02) and by 55% (p = 0.0003) after administration of Immulina® (200 mg and 400 mg per day, respectively) for seven days. The mRNA expression of the NK- and T-cell marker perforin increased by 75% (p = 0.008) after administration of 400 mg Immulina® per day. Both markers displayed significant dose-dependent effects (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.02, respectively). The ratio between CD56 (bright) and CD56 (dim) NK cells was not affected by Immulina® administration. In summary, two independent studies showed enhancement of NK cell activity following administration of Immulina® for seven days.

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Crossref · 10.1055/s-0030-1250043

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Authors
Nielsen, C., Balachandran, P., Christensen, O., Pugh, N., Tamta, H., Sufka, K., Wu, X., Walsted, A., Schjørring-Thyssen, M., Enevold, C., & Pasco, D.
Affiliations
  • Rigshospitalet (DK)
  • University of Mississippi (US)
  • Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
Venue
Planta Medica
Published
2010-06-17
Volume
76
Issue
16
Pages
1802-1808
ISSN
  • 0032-0943 (ISSN-L)
  • 1439-0221
OpenAlex
W2147535816
Cited by
56
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
FWCI
0.82
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Planta Medica (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Cell Function and Interaction
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
Keywords
Spirulina platensis, Arthrospira, natural killer cells, NK cell cytotoxicity, dietary supplementation, NKG2D, perforin, monocyte activation, CD4+ T cells, dose-dependent effects
MeSH terms
Adjuvants, Immunologic, Adult, Aged, Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Double-Blind Method, Leukemia, Erythroblastic, Acute, Female, Humans, Killer Cells, Natural, Leukocytes, Mononuclear, Lipoproteins, Lymphocyte Activation, Male, Phytotherapy, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Plant Extracts, Reference Values, RNA, Messenger, T-Lymphocytes, Biomarkers, Cross-Over Studies, Dietary Supplements, Cell Line, Tumor, Spirulina, Perforin, NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K, Young Adult

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