생화학분자생물학회

	Sanguine Byun( sanguine@yonsei.ac.kr )
	2020-present	Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, South Korea
	2016-2020	Assistant Professor, Division of Bioengineering, Incheon National University, South Korea
	2012-2016	Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
	2009-2012	Ph.D., Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, South Korea
	2007-2009	M.S., Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, South Korea
	2000-2007	B.S., Food Science and Biotechnology / Biology, Seoul National University, South Korea

Immunomodulatory functional foods and their molecular mechanisms

The immune system comprises a complex group of processes that provide defense against diverse pathogens. These defenses can be divided into innate and adaptive immunity, in which specific immune components converge to limit infections. In addition to genetic factors, aging, lifestyle, and environmental factors can influence immune function, potentially affecting the susceptibility of the host to disease-causing agents. Chemical compounds in certain foods have been shown to regulate signal transduction and cell phenotypes, ultimately impacting pathophysiology. Research has shown that the consumption of specific functional foods can stimulate the activity of immune cells, providing protection against cancer, viruses, and bacteria. Here, we review a number of functional foods reported to strengthen immunity, including ginseng, mushrooms, chlorella, and probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum). We also discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating the activity of various types of immune cells. Identifying immune-enhancing functional foods and understanding their mechanisms of action will support new approaches to maintain proper health and combat immunological diseases.

Exp Mol Med. 2022 Jan;54(1):1-11. doi: 10.1038/s12276-022-00724-0
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35079119