Stimulation of the specific immune system by mistletoe extracts

Anti-cancer Drugs
S FischerDieter Kabelitz

Abstract

We have investigated the in vitro responsiveness of T cells from mistletoe-treated cancer patients and untreated donors to various preparations of mistletoe extracts. Proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from treated but not from untreated patients was observed in response to therapeutically used mistletoe extracts prepared from apple (mali) or pine (pini) host trees. The strongest proliferation was induced by vesicle preparation of mali extract. Using a newly developed flow cytometry assay (standard cell dilution assay), we determined that cell growth was restricted to CD4+ T cells. Analysis with a panel of monoclonal antibodies against variable regions of the T cell receptor beta chain (V beta) revealed an oligoclonal pattern of CD4+ T cell activation. These results indicate that therapeutic administration of mistletoe extracts sensitized a restricted set of CD4+ T lymphocytes in mistletoe-treated patients. Lymphocytes from untreated donors are only stimulated with heat-treated mistletoe extracts. The responding T cells are gamma delta T cells and express variable T cell receptor elements V gamma 9 and V delta 2. The gamma delta-stimulating activity of heat-treated mistletoe extracts is sensitive to treatment w...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 16, 2000·Springer Seminars in Immunopathology·C T MoritaM B Brenner
Dec 16, 1998·European Journal of Cancer : Official Journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)·G M Stein, P A Berg
May 25, 2002·European Journal of Biochemistry·Julie TabiascoAlain Vercellone
Apr 2, 2003·Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals·Mircea CazacuNeven Zarkovic
May 12, 2007·BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine·Jenny EggenschwilerAngelika Viviani
Sep 25, 2004·Immunology Letters·Mary Poupot, Jean-Jacques Fournié
Mar 29, 2014·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Megan L SteeleFriedemann Schad
Oct 25, 2001·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Juliane FeurleMartin Wilhelm
Jul 30, 2019·Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM·Sonja SchötterlUlrike Naumann

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.