GSBS Student Publications
Title
L-theanine intervention enhances human gammadeltaT lymphocyte function
Publication Date
2008-02-08
UMMS Affiliation
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Department of Pathology
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
Human gammadeltaT lymphocytes are a subset of T cells and are a first line of defense against microbes and tumors. These gammadeltaT cells can be primed by nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, and certain short-chain alkylamines. These primed gammadeltaT cells have an enhanced capacity to proliferate and to secrete cytokines upon ex vivo exposure to a wide variety of microbes and tumor cells. The largest dietary source of alkylamines is L-theanine, an amino acid unique to tea beverages that is catabolized to ethylamine. Supplementation of subjects with capsules containing L-theanine and catechins has recently been shown to decrease the incidence of cold and flu symptoms, while enhancing gammadeltaT cell function.
DOI of Published Version
10.1111/j.1753-4887.2007.00013.x
Source
Nutr Rev. 2008 Feb;66(2):96-102. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Nutrition reviews
Related Resources
PubMed ID
18254876
Repository Citation
Bukowski, Jack F. and Percival, Susan S., "L-theanine intervention enhances human gammadeltaT lymphocyte function" (2008). GSBS Student Publications. 1445.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/gsbs_sp/1445