Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
05:28
Analysis of Fecal Microbiota Dynamics in Lupus-Prone Mice Using a Simple, Cost-Effective DNA Isolation Method
Published on: May 2, 2022
Evaluation of immunomodulation by Lactobacillus casei Shirota: immune function, autoimmunity and gene expression
Kirsten A Baken1, Janine Ezendam, Eric R Gremmer
1Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Department of Health Risk Analysis and Toxicology (GRAT), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
International Journal of Food Microbiology
|August 1, 2006
Summary
Lactic acid bacteria like Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) show varied effects on immune responses, potentially causing both beneficial and harmful outcomes in immune-related disorders. Further research is needed to understand probiotic immunomodulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Probiotics Research
Background:
- Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known for potential immunomodulatory effects.
- Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) has been associated with enhanced innate immunity and T helper 1 (Th1) responses.
- The precise impact of LcS on Th1-mediated immunity and autoimmune diseases requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) on T helper 1 (Th1) responses.
- To assess the influence of LcS on the development of autoimmune diseases.
- To compare the predictive value of gene expression profiling with functional immune assays for probiotic immunomodulation.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of LcS in Wistar rats and BALB/c mice models.
- Assessment of mitogen-induced cell proliferation and cytokine release in rat mesenteric lymph nodes.
- Utilized a murine Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in Lewis rats.
- Included gene expression profiling (microarray analysis) as an endpoint.
Main Results:
- LcS did not modulate immune responses in Wistar rat mesenteric lymph nodes.
- LcS inhibited Th1 responses in the murine LLNA but aggravated EAE in Lewis rats.
- Gene expression profiles from microarray analysis did not correlate with observed immune effects of LcS.
- Microarray analysis showed no greater predictive value than functional immune assays for immunomodulation.
Conclusions:
- The immunomodulatory effects of LcS are model-dependent, indicating potential for both beneficial and detrimental outcomes in immune-related disorders.
- Functional immune assays remain valuable for assessing probiotic immunomodulation.
- Combined approaches using cytokine assays, gene expression analysis, and disease models are recommended for comprehensive probiotic research.