Biochemistry of Transfer Factor: Technical Paper

II. Inducer/Suppressor Fraction of Transfer Factor

T-lymphocytes produce transfer factors and can transfer the ability to recognize a pathogen to cells that have not been in contact with the pathogen. They also heighten the immune system’s ability to react (increased reactivity or inducer function) to pathogens. Transfer factor produces a trigger for T-cell recognition of antigen.

The transfer factor is a mixture of peptides, typically with a molecular weight < 10,000 Daltons. It’s more appropriate to speak of “transfer factors” instead of “transfer factor.” Fortunately, today’s preparative methods produce consistent mixtures, which lead to repeatable responses.

Fractions within the mixture serve different (and sometimes opposite) purposes. Two significant fractions are (1) the inducer fraction and (2) the suppressor fraction ^[1][2]. Opposing functions were confirmed using the direct Leucocyte Migration Inhibition (LMI) test.

These two fractions are consistent with field observations that the transfer factor balances the immune system.

For example:

1. The inducer fraction of transfer factor biochemistry links the immune cells with an antigen-binding site, thereby increasing their reactivity to an antigenic stimulus. This is advantageous when a higher immune response is required. CortControl’s enhanced vaccine response arises from an inducer fraction. Several researchers have documented the inducer effects of transfer factors ^[3][4][5].
2. The suppressor fraction blocks the response of the T-cells and signals a down-regulation of the immune response. This is helpful in allergic or autoimmune conditions. Animal studies demonstrate improvement in cases where the immune system is over-active. This arises from suppressor fraction. Cortesini R. et al. ^[6] showed that CD8+CD28-Ts represent a unique subset of regulatory cells within the transfer factor that initiates a suppressive loop. Filaci ^[7] supported Cortesini’s work and related autoimmune diseases without CD8+ suppressor T lymphocytes. Filaci further found that “CD8+ Ts can be generated in vitro from CD8+CD28-T lymphocytes. A key role in their generation is played by monocytes that secrete interleukin-10 (IL-10) after granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulation.”

Aleli Salazar-Ramiro et al. ^[8] view cancer as an autoimmune disease and propose a transfer factor for cancer therapy. This is supported by CortControl’s veterinary work on horses, dogs, and cows ^[9], where cancer symptoms were visibly reversed.

III. TH1/TH2 Helper Cells and Cytokines

Reviewing the helper lymphocyte paradigm helps categorize the transfer factor applications. Helper lymphocytes develop along two cell populations: TH1 and TH2. Transfer factors from both lymphocyte lines are represented in the transfer factor biochemistry. TH1 and TH2 cells perform different functions and produce different cytokines—proteins that function as messenger molecules.

Cell-mediated or TH1 helper responses are essential in the body’s ability to defend itself against viruses, fungi, parasites, cancer, and intracellular organisms. TH1 cells modulate cell-mediated immunity.

TH1 cells produce the following cytokines:  

• IL-2,  
• IFN-gamma, and
• TNF-alpha

TH2 cells modulate humoral immunity (antibody production).

TH2 cells produce the following cytokines:

• IL-4,
• IL-5,
• IL-6,
• IL-10, and
• IL-13

Cytokines are functionally similar to hormones but are not associated with a specific gland.

They appear to operate as keys and templates.

• Cytokines are a broad and loose category of small proteins essential in cell signaling. Due to their size, cytokines cannot cross the lipid bilayer of cells to enter the cytoplasm and, therefore, typically exert their functions by interacting with specific cytokine receptors on the target cell surface.

Stereochemistry is important.

What is stereochemistry in simple terms?

• A branch of chemistry that deals with the spatial arrangement of atoms and groups in molecules.
• The spatial arrangement of atoms and groups in a compound and its relation to the properties of the compound.

The attachment of a cytokine to an immune cell receptor starts a specific immune signal within the target cell. Signals translate into direct action, increase the production of antibodies against an invading virus, or initiate the production of other cytokines to propagate the signal.

IV. TH1/TH2 Predominant Phenotypes 

One aspect of immune regulation involves homeostasis between T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2) activity ^[10]. TH1/TH2 balance correlates with good health, and over-activation in either direction sets the stage for disease.

Th1 and Th2-helper cells direct different immune response pathways and produce different cytokines. Either pathway can down-regulate the other.

Steven Bock, MD, correlated disease conditions to an imbalance of TH1 and TH2. For example, if one has a TH2-dominated condition, the disease conditions that tend to prevail are:

1. Allergies
2. Chronic sinusitis
3. Atopic eczema
4. Asthma
5. Systemic autoimmune conditions such as lupus erythematosus and mercury-induced autoimmunity
6. Vaccination-induced state
7. Certain cases of autism
8. Hyperinsulinism
9. Pertussis vaccination
10. Malaria
11. Helminth infection
12. Hepatitis C
13. Chronic giardiasis
14. Hypercortisolism
15. Chronic candidiasis
16. Cancer
17. Viral infections
18. Ulcerative colitis

If one has a TH1-dominated condition, the conditions that tend to prevail are:

1. Diabetes type 1
2. Multiple sclerosis
3. Rheumatoid arthritis
4. Uveitis
5. Crohn’s disease
6. Hashimoto’s disease
7. Sjögren’s syndrome
8. Psoriasis
9. Sarcoidosis
10. Chronic Lyme disease
11. H. pylori infections
12. E. histolytica

Glutrasol field observations show successes in both categories. For example, international travelers avoid flu and colds by consuming Glutrasol before a trip. In addition, Ramaekers Nutrition has success with psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and H pylori infections (among a 20-year list of others). The biochemistry of transfer factor in Glutrasol contains cytokines from both TH1 and TH2 cells. It produces different cytokines for different situations.

Alvarez-Thull L, Kirkpatrick CH ^[11] note that “Transfer factor treatment selectively affects cytokine production in response to antigenic stimulation.”

Fabre RA et al. ^[12] (in a pulmonary tuberculosis study) showed that “the treatment with murine or human TF [transfer factor] restored the expression of TH-1 cytokines, TNFalpha and iNOS, provoking inhibition of bacterial proliferation and significant increase of DTH and survival.”

V. Adjusting to Change

Malaria is cited as a TH2-dominated condition WHO ^[13] and PATH are working on a robust malaria vaccine.

CortControl acknowledges that parasites can mutate ^[14] and present a changing appearance to the immune system. This is one reason for the cyclical flare-ups experienced by malaria victims. Antibody vaccines are specific and not designed to keep pace with mutations.

Maturation time for TH1 or TH2 cells is 10-14 days. In contrast, the biochemistry of transfer factor works on the innate immune system and responds within 24-48 hours. Transfer factor empowers the immune system to stay current with mutations.

CortControl predicts that the immediate benefits of combining Glutrasol with malaria vaccine will be:

1. Increasing vaccine efficiency and
2. Minimizing relapse or re-infection.

VIII. Staging the Immune System

The response to vaccination depends on the recipient’s health. Vaccines work best for healthy people. Conversely, a person with a weakened immune system may not receive the calculated vaccine benefits. This relationship is significant in less developed countries, where unsanitary conditions impact overall health.

Dr Mandal ^[17] notes, “This [a lower-than-expected vaccine response] could be due to various reasons. Sometimes, this is because the host’s immune system doesn’t respond adequately or at all. This could be in diseased persons with lowered immunity, e.g., in people with diabetes, those on steroids or other immunity-suppressing drugs, or those with HIV infection.