Effects of transferrin on the modulation of cytokine production on mouse spleen cells

In order to investigate the the effects of transferrin (Tf) on the production of cytokines, mouse spleen cells were treated with various concentrations of apo- and holo-Tf, and then the production of IL-6, IFNγ and the expression of mRNA for TNF α was determined. The distribution of Tf, macrophages and T cells in the mouse mammary glands was also examined. IL-6 and IFNγ producing capabilities of the unstimulated spleen cells in the presence of apo and holo-Tf were increased in a dose dependent manner, while the cells stimulated with anti-CD3 had no significant effects on production in thd presence of graded concentrations of Tf. The relative abundance of TNF α mRNA was significantly affected by the concentration of Tf. During early involution almost all of the secretory epithelial cells and the secretion in the alveoli showed a very strong positive reaction to transferrin antibody, and macrophages and T cells were distributed in the lumen, alveolar epithelial layer and connective tissue area. These findings suggest that the upregulated patterns of these cytokines and distribution of immune cells may play a beneficial role in the augmentation of host's defense mechanisms during involution.