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Probiotics and immune health
1Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|September 8, 2011
Summary
Probiotics modulate the host immune response through specific genes and compounds. This offers potential for preventing and treating immune-related diseases, though clinical evidence requires further confirmation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Probiotics exert beneficial effects across various diseases.
- A key mechanism involves the regulation of the host immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on how probiotics regulate the host immune response.
- To explore potential applications in disease prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Genomic and proteomic analyses of probiotics.
- Investigation of biological consequences on host immunity.
Main Results:
- Identified probiotic genes and compounds mediating immunomodulation.
- Demonstrated regulation of systemic and mucosal immune cells, and intestinal epithelial cells.
- Showcased therapeutic potential for allergies, eczema, viral infections, and vaccine responses.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics represent a promising avenue for novel disease prevention and treatment strategies.
- Clinical study results are currently preliminary and necessitate further validation.
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