ABSTRACT
The immune system relies on adequate dietary selenium (Se) intake and this nutrient exerts its biological effects mostly through its incorporation into selenoproteins. Understanding how levels of dietary Se intake modulate immunity through different selenoproteins has been a challenge, but progress has been made in this field of study. Se supplementation, for the most part, is immuno-stimulatory, depending on the baseline Se status. This is measured by a wide range of parameters including T cell proliferation, NK cell activity, innate immune cell functions, and many others. The activation of human blood leukocytes has been shown to increase in response to Se-enriched food. Under conditions of Se deficiency, innate and adaptive immune responses are impaired. The benefits of supranutritional Se to boost immunity against pathogens, vaccinations, or cancers have been explored and have not provided entirely clear results. Manipulation of individual selenoproteins may offer a more precise approach for enhancing the immune system or mitigating chronic inflammation.
