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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
07:37
An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Lactobacillus casei suppresses experimental arthritis by down-regulating T helper 1 effector functions
Jae-Seon So1, Ho-Keun Kwon, Choong-Gu Lee
1Department of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology , 1 Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju 500-712, Republic of Korea.
Molecular Immunology
|February 5, 2008
Summary
Probiotics like Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) can protect against rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study shows L. casei suppresses immune responses that drive RA progression, offering a potential therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Probiotics offer health benefits, but their immune-modulating mechanisms are unclear.
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves complex immune system dysregulation.
- Understanding how probiotics affect T cells in RA is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) mitigates rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To investigate the impact of L. casei on CD4(+) T cell effector functions in RA.
Main Methods:
- Oral administration of L. casei in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model.
- Assessment of paw swelling, lymphocyte infiltration, and cartilage damage.
- Analysis of CD4(+) T cell cytokine production, NF-kappaB translocation, and IgG isotype levels.
Main Results:
- L. casei suppressed CIA, reducing paw swelling and cartilage destruction.
- L. casei decreased pro-inflammatory molecules (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, Cox-2) from CD4(+) T cells.
- L. casei reduced NF-kappaB translocation and Th1-type IgG isotypes (IgG2a, IgG2b) while increasing IL-10.
Conclusions:
- Oral L. casei administration effectively suppresses RA progression.
- L. casei modulates the immune response by inhibiting Th1-type cellular and humoral immunity against type II collagen.
- L. casei demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.
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