Abstract
Recently, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis has been reported to have immunostimulating properties in an immunosuppressed-animal model. However, the immunological activities of Lactococcus lactis and the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this report, we evaluated the immunostimulating activity and associated mechanisms of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis GCWB1176 (GCWB1176) in macrophages and cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressed mice. In a series of safety tests, GCWB1176 was found to have a negative response to hemolysis, as well as susceptibility to antibiotics. Administration of GCWB1176 elevated natural killer (NK) cell activities; concanavalin A-induced T cell proliferation; and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. In RAW264.7 macrophages, treatment with GCWB1176 induced phagocytic activity and increased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of inducible NO synthase. Simultaneously, GCWB1176 increased the production of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-12 from mouse splenocytes and RAW264.7 cells. In addition, GCWB1176 significantly increased the transcriptional activities of NF-κB and iNOS. Taken together, GCWB1176 improved immune function through the activation of macrophages and NK cells. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of GCWB1176 may be used to enhance immunity.
Highlights
The mammalian immune system consists of innate and adaptive immunity [1]
We investigated the immunostimulating effects and associated mechanisms of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis GCWB1176 isolated from mozzarella cheese in mouse macrophages and CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice
Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p70, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IFN-γ were from R&D Systems (Minneapolis, MN, USA). 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) was from USB Corp. (Cleveland, OH, USA) and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release detection kit was from Roche Applied
Summary
The mammalian immune system consists of innate and adaptive immunity [1]. Among them, innate immunity plays a role in recognizing a deviation from homeostasis due to infectious or non-infectious assaults; adaptive immunity, including humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity; killing infected cells; and neutralizing antigens [1,2]. The activation of lymphocytes and macrophages causes the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO), and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-(IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 [6,7,8,9]. These molecules are involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. No studies have been reported on the mechanism of action related to the immunostimulating efficacy of Lactococcus lactis in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. We investigated the immunostimulating effects and associated mechanisms of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis GCWB1176 isolated from mozzarella cheese in mouse macrophages and CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
