Transfer factors are natural, microscopic molecules that reside in the bodies of all
animals. They are messengers, passing immunity information about the presence of an
immune threat—whether external or internal—and how to properly respond, from immune
cell to immune cell.

Transfer factors are produced by lymphocytes with cell-mediated immunity function. They
carry the parent lymphocyte’s antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity (delayed-type
hypersensitivity) to unsensitized, or naive, lymphocytes. They can also increase the
nonantigen-specific immunostimulatory activity of the recipient lymphocytes

Transfer factors transfer immunity information—recognition of pathogens and appropriate
immune response—with inducer, suppressor and antigen-specific factors.

The inducer factor allows transfer factor to aid the adaptive immune response to
  viral infections, parasites, malignancies, bacterial and mycobacterial disease, fungal
  infection, autoimmune disorders and neurological disease. This factor can transfer
  an immune response in under 24 hours and significantly reduce or eliminate
  symptoms of illness.

The suppressor factor keeps the immune system from over-responding, such as to
pollens and other foreign bodies, as well as to itself as in the case of an
autoimmune disorder.

The antigen-specific factor carries critical tags that the immune system uses to
identify foreign microbes and cells.

Transfer factors are found in even the most primitive immune systems. As such, transfer
factors’ inducer and suppressor factors are universal and can transfer immunity across
species barriers. Hence, transfer factors from a cow can confer immunity in a human.
The antigen-specific factor can transfer immunity between species when crossover occurs
between antigen-specific pathogens, such as in smallpox and cowpox, E. coli, etc

Transfer factors are thought to contain protein and RNA, but no DNA. Their small size—a
molecular weight of less than 10,000—helps render them nonallergenic and enables them
to retain full potency when taken orally. The colostrum of all mammals is, in fact, rich in
transfer factor, and is critical for conferring passive immunity to newborns when ingested
during breastfeeding or suckling.

IMMUUN SYSTEM BASICS

Components of the Immune System: Organs and Cells

Many organs throughout your body have an essential role in the development and
structure of the immune system, including your bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes,
spleen, tonsils and adenoids and appendix. These organs are responsible for the growth,
development and deployment of lymphocytes, the white cells that are the key laborers of
the immune system. The primary lymphocytes are B-cells, T-cells, natural killer cells,
macrophages and dendritic cells. Each has a specific role in keeping your body and
immune system healthy.

The Immune Response

Primary Immune Response

The first time your body is exposed to particular viruses or bacteria, it takes time for your
immune system to recognize the invading organisms and to figure out how to kill them.
During this elapsed time, bacteria and viruses grow exponentially, thus increasing the
amount of time it takes to completely eliminate the infection.

1.  A cut in the skin damages cells and allows bacteria into the body signaling an immune
    response from macrophages and other scavenger immune cells.

2. Mast cells release chemicals that trigger inflammation, allow-ing other immune cells to
rush to the problem area

3. Before reinforcements arrive, macrophages and other prestationed immune cells start
attacking bacteria, chop them up into bits called antigens.

4. They are then transported to lymph nodes where these macrophages attach to B cells
and T cells. B cells begin producing antibodies specifically for the particular antigens
or germs the body is exposed to.

5. The antibodies trigger responses from certain immune cells like NK cells, macrophages
and killer T cells to engulf and kill the bacteria-infected cells.

6. Helper T cells signal the antibodies and killer T cells to go directly to the wound.

7. While the immune cells are taking care of the germs, other cells called platelets begin
healing the wound by forming clots which close the wound

Secondary Immune Response

The second time the body is exposed to a particular virus or bacteria, the immune system
recognizes the invading organism more quickly and immediately knows how to fight it off.
Because the amount of time in these steps is shorter, the infection can be eliminated
more quickly. Transfer Factor triggers a secondary immune response by borrowing the
immune memory of the cow or the chicken.

A cut in the skin damages cells and allows bacteria into the body signaling an immune
response from macrophages and other scavenger immune cells.

Mast cells release chemicals that trigger inflammation, allowing other immune cells to
rush to the problem area.

Before reinforcements arrive, macrophages and other pre-stationed immune cells
start attacking bacteria, chop them up into bits called antigens

B cells, set in motion by previous immune responses, begin producing antibodies
specifically for the particular antigens or germs the body is exposed to. The antibodies
trigger responses from certain immune cells like NK cells, macrophages & killer T cells
to engulf and kill the bacteria-infected cells.

Helper T cells signal the antibodies and killer T cells to go directly to the wound.

While the immune cells are taking care of the germs, other cells called platelets begin
healing the wound by forming clots which close the wound.

Recent research has uncovered interesting characteristics about natural killer, or NK, cells.
Natural killer cells provide a crucial first defense against infectious agents and diseased
cells. Until now, scientists took for granted that NK cells came equipped with the ability to
do their job properly. In the February issue of The Journal of Immunology, researchers led
by Christian Munz, Ph.D. and Guido Ferlazzo, Ph.D. of Rockefeller University, published
two separate papers exploring their discovery that NK cells require activation and
mobilization from another source to search out and destroy diseased cells. These
scientists also hypothesized that natural killer cell function can be “tailored” or “targeted”
toward specific healthy immune support activity.