Kirin Explores Non-Invasive Urine Tests to Measure Immune Health

Kirin, a leading Japanese company, has unveiled promising research indicating the potential for a non-invasive method to measure plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) activity and overall immune status through urine tests. Traditionally, assessing pDC activity involves invasive blood sampling and specialized equipment, making it both costly and time-consuming. The findings were discussed during the 21st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Food Immunology (JAFI), held from October 2 to 3, 2023.

The research revealed that individuals exhibiting high pDC activity had significantly elevated levels of immune-related proteins, notably immunoglobulin A (IgA), in their urine samples. IgA is a crucial antibody found in blood and mucous membranes, playing a vital role in protecting the body against viruses and bacteria. In total, Kirin identified 115 proteins that are indicative of pDC activity, marking a significant advance in understanding immune health.

This study involved 223 Japanese participants aged between 51 and 55 years. Blood tests allowed researchers to categorize these individuals based on their pDC activity levels, identifying 40 individuals with both above and below median pDC activity. Subsequently, the research team measured over 7,000 urinary proteins from the urine samples of these participants. The analysis indicated marked differences in the levels of 115 types of urinary proteins between those with high and low pDC activity, specifically noting that individuals with elevated pDC activity had significantly higher IgA levels.

Kirin expressed optimism regarding the implications of these findings. “The findings of this study suggest the potential for developing a non-invasive method to evaluate immune activity via pDC activity. We will conduct further investigations to develop a simple service for visualizing immune status,” said a representative from the company.

Understanding pDC activity is crucial as these cells serve as the “commander-in-chief” of the immune system, activating various immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and B cells. Kirin has been exploring various factors that affect pDC activity and has noted a significant correlation between pDC activity and frailty in older adults. According to previous interviews, frail elderly individuals exhibit a lower percentage of pDCs that produce interferon-alpha (IFN-α), a protein essential for regulating immune responses to viral infections.

Building on its research, Kirin has developed a series of health supplements and functional foods containing LC-plasma, a strain of Lactococcus lactis. This postbiotic is designed to support the immune system by activating pDCs. In 2020, LC-plasma became the first functional food ingredient recognized by Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) for making immune health claims.

The research on pDCs has also attracted interest from other Japanese companies, including Morinaga Milk, which reported that lactoferrin supplementation may help maintain pDC activity and support immune health. As the scientific community continues to investigate these links, developments in non-invasive testing for immune status could transform the way health professionals assess and monitor immune function in the future.