Immunomodulatory Activity of Lactobacillus Sporogenes

The immune system of mammals includes a complex array of cells and molecules, which interact to provide protection from challenge by pathogenic microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites). Antigens are substances that induce an immune response, and are often components of invading microbes. Probiotics are defined as the viable microorganisms that exhibit a beneficial effect on the health of the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance [12]. Since the beginning of the previous century, various health promoting effects of human consumption of probiotic bacteria have been described [3-4]. Numerous experiments have indicated that (changes in) the intestinal microbiota can cause immunomodulation, both at the intestinal and the systemic level [5-6]. Especially lactic acid bacteria (LAB), that are part of the human commensal microbiota and that have a long history of use in food products, have been studied widely. The ability of several LAB strains to modulate host innate as well as acquired immune responses, has been demonstrated in many in vitro experiments and animal models. Besides stimulation of antibody production [7] and macrophage activity [8], functional effects like inhibition of inflammation [910], intestinal infections [11], allergic disease symptoms [12-13] and autoimmune.