Combination of different probiotics and berry-derived (poly)phenols can modulate immune response in dendritic cells

Abstract

• There is an ongoing interest in characterizing probiotic strains for specific health purposes and physiological conditions. • Berry-derived polyphenols are increasingly studied for their anti-inflammatory features. • Synergism between selected probiotic strains from different species and genus might increase their immunomodulatory potential. • Association of probiotics and berry polyphenolic extracts can enhance the anti-inflammatory effects. • Select and characterize a combination of specific probiotic strains and defined berry polyphenolic extracts might be useful for the development of food supplements. The immunomodulatory potential of probiotics and (poly)phenols (PP) is recognized; however, studies regarding microorganisms-PP synergisms are yet to be explored. Here, we investigated the cooperation between probiotics and berry-derived PP extracts in modulating the cytokine responses in dendritic cells. Bacteria elicited immune responses in a strain-dependent manner. PP extracts showed different modulation of cytokine triggered by bacteria. Also with LPS, used as pro-inflammatory stimulus, PP from blueberry (BB) and cranberry (CB) most efficiently reduced IL12 production. L. paracasei LPC-S01 and B. bifidum MIMBb23sg resulted the best bacterial association in abrogating IL12 and increasing IL10. The use of PP fraction from BB50f and CB1 with the LPC-S01 + MIMBb23sg association resulted the most efficient combinations in terms of anti-inflammatory activity. These results provide bases for further investigation in vivo , in the perspective to develop food supplements that might conceivably deliver the single and combined benefits of probiotics and berry (poly)phenols.