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Interferon induction in murine peritoneal macrophage by stimulation with Lactobacillus acidophilus
H Kitazawa1, K Matsumura, T Itoh
1Laboratory of Animal Products Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan.
Abstract:
Induction of interferon for a kind of dairy lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), was investigated in murine peritoneal macrophage (M phi) cultures. Lactobacillus acidophilus JCM 1034, 1132T, 1229 and 2125 induced IFN (12-34 I.U./ml) in M phi cultures in vitro. Strain 1132T- and 2125-induced IFNs were characterized as IFN alpha/beta by treatment with anti-IFNs serum. The results indicate that the inducing activity of IFNs may be one of the available biological parameters for designating the dairy products containing L. acidophilus as "physiologically functional foods."
Insights
Certain dairy lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, can induce interferon (IFN) in immune cells. This IFN-inducing activity suggests potential use in classifying L. acidophilus dairy products as physiologically functional foods.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Food Science
Background:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) is a common dairy lactic acid bacterium.
- Interferons (IFNs) are crucial signaling proteins in the immune system.
- The immunomodulatory potential of L. acidophilus in food products is of growing interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interferon-inducing capacity of specific L. acidophilus strains.
- To explore the potential of IFN induction as a marker for functional foods.
Main Methods:
- Murine peritoneal macrophage (M phi) cultures were used for in vitro experiments.
- Four strains of L. acidophilus were tested for their ability to induce IFN.
- Anti-IFN serum was used to characterize the type of induced IFN.
Main Results:
- L. acidophilus strains JCM 1034, 1132T, 1229, and 2125 induced IFN production in M phi cultures.
- The induced IFN levels ranged from 12 to 34 I.U./ml.
- IFNs induced by strains 1132T and 2125 were identified as IFN alpha/beta.
Conclusions:
- L. acidophilus possesses the ability to induce interferon production in macrophages.
- IFN-inducing activity can serve as a biological parameter for identifying functional L. acidophilus dairy foods.
- This finding supports the classification of certain dairy products containing L. acidophilus as "physiologically functional foods."