STIMULATION OF HUMAN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES BY BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES DERIVED FROM BOVINE-MILK PROTEINS

The in vitro modulation of the proliferation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes by different synthetic peptides derived from milk protein s was investigated. Therefore, proliferation changes were followed up after incorporation of BrdU into the DNA, and the influence on protein biosynthesis was measured using the [H-3]leucine incorporation test. Tyr-Gly and Tyr-Gly-Gly significantly enhanced (maximal 90 and 35%, re spectively) the proliferation of PBL. For beta-casomorpbin-7 and beta- casokinin-10, lymphocyte proliferation was suppressed at lower concent rations, but stimulated at higher concentrations (greater than or equa l to 10(-7) mol/l). Protein synthesis was stimulated (maxima at 25%) o nly with TSr-Gly and Tyr-Gly-Gly. The findings point to a need for fur ther studies on the possible function of peptides derived from milli p roteins as orally bioavailable immunopotentiatory compounds.