Immunomodulatory role of edible bone collagen peptides on macrophage and lymphocyte cell cultures

ABSTRACT Immunonutrition or modulation of immune capacity through food and supplements has been gaining significant importance. Hydrolysed collagen has long been used as a functional ingredient, showing multiple physiological activities, including enhancement of immune functions. However, how collagen peptides may affect the immune system still needs further research. This study investigates bone collagen peptides (BCP) immunomodulatory activity on human monocytic THP-1 and human Jurkat T lymphocyte cell lines, using cytokine mRNA expressions as biomarkers. In vitro, gastrointestinal digestion and Caco-2 cell absorption allow obtaining digested and absorbed BCP fractions, respectively, which are tested on immune cells. Results show: (1) Immunostimulatory effect on M0 macrophages, but not on M1 macrophages (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated), (2) Significant T lymphocyte proliferation after incubation with absorbed BCP fraction. (3) Significant increase of anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine biomarker. These results suggest that BCP could act as an immunonutrient, modulating the immune response and inflammatory processes. Abbreviations: ATCC: American Type Culture Collection BCP: bone collagen peptide DMSO: dimethyl sulphoxide FBS: fetal bovine serum ECM: extracellular matrix GRAS: Generally recognized as safe; IFN: interferon IL: interleukin, LPS: lipopolysaccharide SEM: standard error of the mean TEER: transepithelial electrical resistance