Contribution to the immunomodulatory characteristics of probiotic bacteria

Abstract

We monitored the impact of selected probiotic strains on the human immune system. 13 strains of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii), used in the production of functional foods, were tested from the point of view of their ability to stimulate a range of cytokines. The selected cytokines have regulatory properties; they affect the progression of inflammation and the inhibition of inflammatory response, and they play a role in humoral immunity, allergies, and cell-mediated immunity. The tested strains showed a specific interaction with the immune system. It was found that the P. freudenreichii strain showed significant levels of IFN gamma cytokine.

Keywords

• lactobacillus acidophilus
• lactobacillus helveticus
• enterococcus faecium
• streptococcus thermophilus
• propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii
• immunomodulation