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Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Induced Differentiation of M Cell-like Cells in Human Stem Cell-derived Ileal Enteroid Monolayers
Published on: July 26, 2019
Enhancement of IgA production by membrane vesicles derived from Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis
Atsushi Kurata1, Shino Yamasaki-Yashiki2, Tomoya Imai3
1Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University, 204-3327 Nakamachi, Nara, Japan.
Abstract:
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is involved in the maintenance of gut homeostasis. Although the oral administration of bifidobacteria increases the amount of fecal IgA, the effects of bifidobacteria on intestinal immunity remain unclear. We found and characterized membrane vesicles (MVs) derived from Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis toward host immune cells. Bifidobacterium infantis MVs consisted of a cytoplasmic membrane, and extracellular solute-binding protein (ESBP) was specifically detected. In the presence of B. infantis MVs or recombinant ESBP, RAW264 cells produced the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. IgA was produced by Peyer's patches cells following the addition of B. infantis MVs. Therefore, ESBP of B. infantis MVs is involved in the production of IgA by acquired immune cells via the production of IL-6 by innate immune cells.
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