Selenium and the Immune Response
Arthur JR, McKenzie RC, Beckett GJ
Published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
Abstract
Comprehensive review of selenium's critical role in immune function. Selenium deficiency impairs both innate and adaptive immunity, reducing NK cell activity, T-cell proliferation, and antibody production. Selenoproteins (glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase) protect immune cells from oxidative damage. Supplementation enhances immune response in deficient populations. Optimal intake critical for viral clearance.
Methodology
Review of selenium biochemistry and selenoprotein function in innate and adaptive immunity, drawing on animal deficiency models and human supplementation studies.
Key Findings
Selenium deficiency impairs natural killer cell activity, T-cell proliferation and antibody responses, and increases susceptibility to viral infection, partly through loss of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase protection of immune cells. Supplementation improves immune measures mainly in people with low baseline selenium status; benefits in replete individuals are not established.
Conclusions
Adequate selenium status is necessary for normal immune function, but supplementation should be viewed as deficiency correction rather than immune enhancement, given the narrow window between sufficiency and toxicity.
Limitations
Narrative review reliant on animal deficiency models and small human studies with immunological surrogate endpoints rather than infection outcomes; geographic variation in soil selenium limits generalisation.
Supplements Studied
Selenium deficiency impairs natural killer cell activity, T-cell proliferation and antibody responses, and increases susceptibility to viral infection, partly through loss of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase protection of immune cells. Supplementation improves immune measures mainly in people with low baseline selenium status; benefits in replete individuals are not established.
Selenium deficiency impairs natural killer cell activity, T-cell proliferation and antibody responses, and increases susceptibility to viral infection, partly through loss of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase protection of immune cells. Supplementation improves immune measures mainly in people with low baseline selenium status; benefits in replete individuals are not established.
Outcomes Measured
Selenium deficiency impairs natural killer cell activity, T-cell proliferation and antibody responses, and increases susceptibility to viral infection, partly through loss of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase protection of immune cells. Supplementation improves immune measures mainly in people with low baseline selenium status; benefits in replete individuals are not established.
Study Details
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