Stimulatory Effects of Casein Phosphopeptide (CPP-III) on mRNA Expression of Cytokines in Caco-2 Cells

Abstract

The effect of CPP-III, a commercially available casein phosphopeptide, on the mRNA expression of cytokines in Caco-2 cells was investigated. CPP-III enhanced the mRNAs of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α while IL-1β was not affected. The mRNA expression of IL-6 was stronger in the presence of both CPP-III and bacterial components such as peptidoglycan from Lactobacillus acidophilus and lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella typhimurium. These results suggest that CPP-III influences the expression of cytokines in intestinal epithelial cells.