Immune-enhancing efficacy of Curtobacterium proimmune K3 lysates isolated from Panax ginseng beverages in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice

Abstract

• Curtobacterium proimmune K3 lysates (Ly) was isolated from Panax ginseng beverages. • Ly secreted greatly immune-related cytokines in mouse splenocytes. • Ly increased production of cytokines in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. • Ly phosphoraylated NF‐κB (p65-IκBα) and MAPK (JNK, ERK and p38) signaling pathways. • Ly ameliorated the gut microbiota in the immunosuppressed mice. In this study, the effects of Curtobacterium proimmune K3 lysates, isolated from Panax ginseng beverages, on splenocytes and cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressed mice were investigated. Treatment with C. proimmune K3 lysates stimulated splenocyte proliferation and increased cytokine secretion in vitro and splenocytes ex vivo . Treatment with C. proimmune K3 lysates alleviated CTX-induced immunosuppression by modulating innate immunity in vivo , by recovering immune organ index and natural killer cell cytotoxicity, as well as by stimulating the adaptive immune system, via restoration of splenic lymphocyte proliferation, delayed-type hypersensitivity response, and IgG and IgA content. Moreover, C. proimmune K3 lysates treatment remarkably enhanced cytokine production in the spleen and thymus, compared with CTX-immunosuppressed mice. Our results suggest C. proimmune K3 lysates hold potential as a novel immunomodulatory agent for use in therapeutic purposes or as an ingredient in functional foods.