Immunomodulation by fermented milk in different mucosal sites using mice

CHAVES, S.; DE MORENO DE LEBLANC, A.; BIBAS BONET, M.; MESÓN, O. AND PERDIGÓN, G.

Córdoba. Argentina.

Congreso; VII Congreso Latinoamericano de Inmunología”.; 2005

ALAI

Previously we have shown that long term administration of fermented milk (FM) stimulates the intestinal mucosal immunity (increases of IgA and cytokine + and T cells). Aims: Study the effect of continuous FM administration in different mucosal sites (mammary glands (MG), bronchus (BALT), and intestinal fluid (IF)) and of peritoneal macrophages (PM) activation. Methods: BALB/c mice were fed with FM containing viable L.casei (10 7 CFU/d) during 6 weeks. Samples (MG, lungs, PM, IF) were taken at days 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, 28 and 42. Total IgA in IF (ELISA), IgA+, IL10+ and TNFa•• cells from MG and BALT (immunofluorescence) were determined. Results: Continuous administration of FM did not increase IgA in the IF compared to the control (C, 143±8mg/ml). PM showed significant increases in phagocytosis of samples taken at days 5, 7, 10 & 14 (21±3, 23±1, 22±4 and 32±3%) compared to the C (13±4%). IgA+ cells increased at day 7 in MG (25±12) compared to the C (5±4). In BALT, IgA+ cells increased in all samples taken between 5 and 42 days compared to the C. IL10+ and TNFa+ cells did not increase in MG or BALT. Conclusions: FM administration was able to stimulate the IgA cycle with increases of IgA+ cells in MG and BALT, but the response was different in each mucosal site. The lack of increase of free IgA in IF by activated cells and of cytokines in MG and BALT shows an immunomodulation in the host consuming FM due to the absence of local stimuli.