LACTOFERRIN COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR MODULATION OF T CELL SUBTYPES AND TREATMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

1 . A method of modulating an immune response in a subject, said method comprising administering a composition comprising a plant-expressed recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) to a subject in need thereof, wherein said rhLF inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines and concomitantly stimulates anti-inflammatory cytokines in said subject after said administration.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF inhibits the production of TNF, IL-6 and/or IL-1β in said subject after said administration.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF stimulates IL-10 and/or IL-4 in said subject after said administration.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF is a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein said rhLF composition comprises 0.1% or more plant-derived components.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF induces naïve T cells to a Treg phenotype and/or activity in said subject after said administration.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said rhLF upregulates genes responsible for generation of Treg cells and downregulates genes responsible for generation of IL-17 and Th17 cells, thereby inducing said naïve T cells to said Treg phenotype and/or activity in said subject.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said rhLF promotes CD4 + CD25 − naïve T cells toward a pro-regulatory phenotype, as measured by intracellular cytokine staining to observe an increase in IFNγ and IL-10 + cells in said subject after said administration.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF reduces a Th1/Th17 T cell phenotype in said subject after said administration.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF modulates a balance between anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokine producing cells and pro-inflammatory Th1 or Th17 cells in said subject after said administration.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF upregulates one or more genes involved in Treg generation: Fosl1, Foxp3, Ikzf2, Irf1, Irf4, Tgif, and concomitantly downregulates one or more genes involved in regulating Th17 phenotype: Il-17a, Il17re, Rora, in said subject after said administration.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein modulation of said immune response induces or maintains remission of a neurodegenerative or autoimmune disorder in said subject after said administration.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein modulation of said immune response treats or ameliorates a neurodegenerative or autoimmune disorder in said subject after said administration.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said neurodegenerative or autoimmune disorder is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), myotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimers disease, or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein modulation of said immune response suppresses overactivation of an immune response in T-cell (CAR-T) therapy in said subject after said administration.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF is administered to a subject at risk of exposure to a virus or other infectious agent.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said virus or other infectious agent is one associated with subsequent development of an autoimmune disease or disorder, wherein said administration of rhLF ameliorates onset of the disorder in said subject after said administration.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhFL is administered therapeutically to achieve therapeutic benefit in said subject after said administration.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhFL is administered prophylactically to achieve prophylactic benefit in said subject after said administration.

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhFL is administered via oral administration, inhalation, enteral administration, feeding, or inoculation by intravenous injection.

20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said rhLF is expressed from a monocot plant.