Boosting Innate Immune System

Study shows how bioactive substance inhibits important receptor The A2A receptor regulates how vigorously the innate immune system attacks diseased cells. Researchers have now been able to show for the first time how an important inhibitor binds to the receptor. In the future, the results will facilitate the targeted search for molecules that give the innate immune system more punch.

Magnesium modulates the innate arm of the immune system.

Notes from Dr. Been's Lecture below

In children the innate arm of the immune system is much more dominant, works better and rapidly, than in adults. This is about boosting the innate arm in adults. It uses gamma delta T cells or memory T cells which rapidly produce IL-17a and interferon gamma. That helps children clear the pathogen out quickly.

There’s a lot of risk in modulating our innate arm. Especially for cancer patients or autoimmune disease patients, or those on immunosuppressants. So discuss with your doctor if you want to hack your immune system.

See: Immunity In Depth | Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University

Fundamental approach:

Strengthen the epithelial cell barrier
Improve antioxidant capability of cells in respiratory system
Strengthen cell membranes
Optimize the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMP)
Optimize the immune cells
Increase and optimize NK cells. Adults have fewer Tcells and they are less active. Various foods and chemicals can reduce them, but most importantly - stress
Modulate autophagy. Autophagy is a double-edged sword. If too many cells are destroyed during infection, some of those cells can become dysregulated and become cancerous cells. On the other hand, if cells that have become infected do not kill themselves, they can become cancer cells.
Improve phagocytosis.
Keep the cells well nourished
Reduce the stress hormone/molecules’ effect on these cells
Activate the innate arm as soon as possible with better strength Exercise
Sleep

Set of strategies to boost innate immune system (links at the top)

Phenylbutyrate and vitamin D help stabilize the lung and the gut epithelium

Antimicrobial peptides AMP

Gamma delta T cells: friend or foe?

Boosting Barrier Function of Epithelial cells in the Respiratory System.

Between the epithelial cells there is a gap. Normally its closed so tightly that nothing can pass through including pathogens, called the barrier function. Barrier function of the respiratory epithelium has to be strong. The epithelial cells and their membranes need to be flexible and strong with the proper enzymes in them so they can defend themselves. The following helps with barrier function (also for COPD and Asthma)

Mediterranean Diet (Western Diet is more prone to breach of epithelial barrier)
Olive oil rich diet
Fruits and vegetables
Omega 3 - for barrier function and also helps keep cells in a more fluid and flexible state.
Vitamins E, C, D - all help barrier function. Vitamin C helps the cell membrane become stronger.
Sodium Butyrate along with vitamin D causes the cells to have more AMP. AMPs are antimicrobial peptides. They can be released or are on the surface of the cell. AMPs puncture the membranes of pathogens and enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2. The peptide then enters the pathogen disrupting its genetic material. Sodium butyrate is a prescription drug given to those with urea cycle issues.
Healthy protein diet. - Within our cells the things that are functioning are mostly proteins. Everything that creates the barrier function consists of proteins. Impoverished diets may not have enough protein and if there are liver issues proteins may not be made correctly.

Cell Membrane Stability

Cell membranes need to be strong enough to resist entrance of the virus.

Hydroxychloroquine enables the membrane to resist entrance of the virus. There are many other virus entry blocker drugs.
Vitamins C, D, A. Vitamin C is essential for cell membrane health. When a cell contains ROS, they attack everything in the cell including the cell membrane. Disrupting the membrane's integrity and function. Vitamin D will act as an antioxidant, reducing such damage. We know vitamin D directly affects epithelial stability. Vitamin A causes the membrane to be a bit stronger than usual.

Gamma Delta T cells

NK cells are one type of gamma delta T cell.

Stress reduction. Stress causes NK cells to be produced less in number and to function less (because of epinephrines)
Sleep. Sleep deprivation and restless sleep is dangerous.
Exercise. (not too strenuous, professional athletes however are adapted to strenuous exercise and its ok there), yoga, strength training,
Massage is known to increase NK cells
Vitamin C (and other antioxidants: Vitamin C accummulates in phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils, and can enhance chemotaxis, phagocytosis, generation of reactive oxygen species and ultimately microbial killing. It is also needed for apoptosis and clearance of spent neutrophils from sites of infection by macrophages; thereby decreasing necrosis/Neutrophil Extracellular Traps / NETosis and potential tissue damage.

Enhancement of natural killer cell activity and T and B cell function by buffered vitamin C in patients exposed to toxic chemicals: the role of protein kinase-C

Vitamin C and Immune Function

White Button Mushrooms - important to activate and proliferate NK cells.

See NK cells for herbs and phytochemicals that boost NK cells.

Interferon Gamma

Children produce more of this and it helps them. Inducing too much of this in adults can promote cancer. We should stay away from trying to boost this. Plant based foods reduce interferon gamma which reduces chances of breast cancer 15%

Protein Deficiency

If we don't have enough we won't make enough cytokines, IL-17, weak cellular membranes, less enzymes, less compliment, less phagocytosis.

Management of Diabetes

If uncontrolled cells can't use sugar resulting in all cells going down including the immune system.

Lymphocytes

(Gamma delta T cells are lymphocytes, but here we include the others).

Vitamin B6 helps with proliferation and differentiation.
Folate and Vitamin B12 - When cells are replicating, RNA and DNA are being formed which requires folate and B12.
Zinc, iron, selenium, copper