Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Activities of the Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C

GARCIA-CASTILLO, VALERIA; KOMATSU, RYOYA; CLUA, PATRICIA; INDO, YUHKI; TAKAGI, MICHIHIRO; SALVA, SUSANA; ISLAM, MD. AMINUL; ALVAREZ, SUSANA; TAKAHASHI, HIDEKI; GARCIA-CANCINO, APOLINARIA; KITAZAWA, HARUKI; VILLENA, JULIO

Frontiers in Immunology

International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS).

Lugar: Bethesda; Año: 2019 vol. 10

Lactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C, a strain isolated from a human stomach, waspreviously characterized by its potential probiotic properties. The UCO-979C straindisplayed the ability to beneficially regulate the innate immune response triggered byHelicobacter pylori infection in human gastric epithelial cells. In this work, we conductedfurther in vitro studies in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and in vivo experiments inmice in order to characterize the potential immunomodulatory effects of L. fermentumUCO-979C on the intestinal mucosa. Results demonstrated that the UCO-979C strainis capable to differentially modulate the immune response of IECs triggered by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation through the modulation of TLR negative regulators?expression. In addition, we demonstrated for the first time that L. fermentum UCO-979Cis able to exert its immunomodulatory effect in the intestinal mucosa in vivo. The feedingof mice with L. fermentum UCO-979C significantly increased the production of intestinalIFN-g, stimulated intestinal and peritoneal macrophages and increased the number ofPeyer?s patches CD4+ T cells. In addition, L. fermentumUCO-979C augmented intestinalIL-6, reduced the number of immature B220+CD24high B cells from Peyer?s patches,enhanced the number of mature B B220+CD24low cells, and significantly increasedintestinal IgA content. The results of this work revealed that L. fermentum UCO-979Chas several characteristics making it an excellent candidate for the development ofimmunobiotic functional foods aimed to differentially regulate immune responses againstgastric and intestinal pathogens.