Reference Number: 610
Year: 2008
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Allergies | Autoimmune | Key Research Papers
Intolerance & Sensitivity: Allergies
Lactic Acid Bacteria: Prevalence
Summary
Abstract
Background: Many types of fermented food are consumed in Japan. Although some are produced by plant-origin lactic-acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation, the physiological functions of such bacteria remain unclear. We therefore isolated LAB of plant origin from Kyoto pickles and determined the immunological activity of heat-killed preparations of plant-origin LAB.
Methods: The Lactobacillus pentosus strain S-PT84 was selected from among 16 LAB of plant origin as the strongest interleukin (IL)-12-inducing strain. IL-12- and IL-10-inducing activities were determined with macrophages from BALB/c mice. The in vivo immunomodulating effect of S-PT84was determined with BALB/c mice fed S-PT84. The antiallergic activity of S-PT84 was examined in ovalbumin (OVA)/alum-administered BALB/c mice.
Results: The L. pentosus strain S-PT84 induced production of both IL-12 and IL-10 in vitro. S-PT84 enhanced splenic natural-killer activity and modulated the T helper (Th) type 1/type 2 balance toward a Th1-dominant state. In the OVA-induced allergy model, orally administered S-PT84 lowered serum IgE levels and suppressed active cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and splenic IL-4 production. IL-10 production from splenocytes of OVA-immunized mice was upregulated by feeding S-PT84.
Conclusions: Despite heat-killing, S-PT84 exhibited antiallergic effects by modulating the Th1/Th2 balance and inducing regulatory T cells. The L. pentosus strain S-PT84, which is of plant origin and isolated from a traditional Japanese food, is expected to be useful for the treatment of many immune diseases including allergies, tumours, infectious diseases and auto-immune diseases.
Significance of this study to the baker
In this study, heat-killed lactic acid bacteria were shown to produce chemicals that are anti-inflammatory and minimise immune response. For example, Th1/Th2 are known to trigger inflammation in the body and produce antibodies. S-PT84, a strain of Lactobacillus pentosus derived from plants, induced the production of regulatory T cells, known to calm the immune system and help prevent autoimmunity. S-PT84 also helped to modulate Th1/Th2 cells. In light of these findings, the researchers predict S-PT84 will be useful in the treatment of many immune diseases including allergies, tumours, infectious diseases and auto-immune diseases.