Effect of Carotenoids on In Yitro Tmmunoglobulin Production by Human Peripheral Blood 1 Mononucle8r Cells: Astaxanthin, a Carotenoid Without Vitamin A Activity, Enhances In Vitro Immunoglobulin Production in Response to a T-Dependent Stimulant and Antigen

The effect of carotenoids on in vitro immunoglobulin (Ig) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) was examined by employing biood samples from adult volunteers and fill-term newborn babies (umbilical cord blood). Under carotenoid-supplemented culture conditions, cells were stimulated by polyclonal stimulants, neoantigens, and a recall antigen (Ag), and IgM, IgA, and IgG4eveI.s in the cuiture supernatant were measured p-carotene and astak anthin were used as representatives of carotenoids with’and without vitamin A activity, reSpi&&ly.* Astaxanthin enhanced IgM production in response to T-dependent Ag (TD-Ag) an&~~~%i&‘;, 1’ pendent polyclonal stimulant. Astaxanthin also augmented IgGproduction in response top ri%all . : -,.. :.#g.-$.; Ag. IgA production without supplemental carotenoids was negligible for aN stimuli However,. in” ‘. carotenoid-supplemented cultures, IgA production was significantly higher in response to~<,~~~{de-. ’ pendent pdlyclonal stimulant than in unsupplemented cultures. IgM and IgA produ~~~6~%&‘~ :, ‘. ,. . ,;:;*s 2: 4 ._ . . augmented at 1&a molt1 astaxanthin. whereas astaxanthin enhanced IgG production ~;,~~ePo~&-*~‘-; .-&:~ I.to a recall Ag at IQ-1Q-IQ-9 molfl. Similar enhancing actions ofastaxanthin on IgM pi’@t.$on~ ._ were observed in cord blood mononuclear ceils (CBMNC), although CBMNCproduced~l.~~~~~~;~~~~ than adult PBMNC. @-Carotene did not have a significant effect on human Ig prod&on. Th$.~~ carotenoid aczionr were not demonstrated under serum-free culture conditions: setim ir esserdai,, for solubilization of carotenoidr. In summary, this study has shown for the first time that:. astaxanthin, a carotenoid without vitamin A activity, enhanca,Ifuman Ig production in respdnse to T-dependent stimuli. . (Nufr Cancer 23, 171-183, 1995)