Heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 suppresses naturally fed antigen–specific IgE production by stimulation of IL-12 production in mice

SUMMARYInteraction of macrophages with bacteria is a stimulus for production of cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-12. IL-12 stimulates T cell and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and interferon-gamma (IFN-g) production. IL-10 opposes the T cell-stimulating action of IL-12, decreases the release of proinflammatory cytokines from macrophages, and stimulates B cells. We have studied the capacity of human intestinal isolates from the three Lactobacillus species dominating on the human gastrointestinal mucosa, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus and L. paracasei ssp. paracasei, to induce production of IL-10 and IL-12 from human blood mononuclear cells, or monocytes. Whole killed lactobacilli were potent stimulators of IL-12 over a wide range of bacterial concentrations. Lactobacillus paracasei gave the highest levels of IL-12 (1·5 ng/ml in response to 5 × 10 6 bacteria/ml), roughly 10 times more than obtained by stimulation with L. rhamnosus or L. plantarum. Escherichia coli induced on average < 50 pg/ml of IL-12 regardless of the bacterial concentration used. The secretion of free p40 subunit IL-12 followed the same pattern as the secretion of p70 (bioactive IL-12) with regard to the efficiency of different bacteria as stimulators. Escherichia coli was the most efficient trigger of IL-10 production, inducing 0·5 ng/ml IL-10 after stimulation with 5 × 10 6 bacteria/ml. Lactobacillus rhamnosus induced the highest levels of IL-10 among the lactobacilli (0·5 ng/ml) compared with 0·1 ng/ml evoked by L. plantarum or L. paracasei, but 10 times more bacteria were required for optimal stimulation than with E. coli. When neutralizing anti-IL-10 antibodies were added to the cultures, the IL-12-inducing capacity of L. rhamnosus was increased markedly, while that of E. coli remained low. The results show that mucosa-associated lactobacilli can be potent stimulators of IL-12, and thus potentially of cell-mediated immunity, if they pass over the gut epithelial barrier and interact with cells of the gut immune system.

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“…IL-12 decreases IL-4 production [33]. Accordingly, certain lactobacilli suppress IgE production in vivo and in vitro [34][35][36].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lactobacilli from human gastrointestinal mucosa are strong stimulators of IL-12 production

Hessle

Hanson

Wold

1999

Clinical and Experimental Immunology

216

145

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“…It has become clear that microorganisms need not to be even alive to confer protection against atopy (57,88,89). Lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin), the major cell wall component of gram-negative bacteria, is a potent inducer of IL-12 and IFN-c production by macrophages and T-cells, respectively (90,91), and has shown to have immunomodulatory capacity similar to many pathogens (92).…”

Section: Lipopolysaccharidementioning

confidence: 99%

Asthma and atopy – the price of affluence?

Hertzen

Haahtela²

2004

Allergy

121

110

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Irrespective of improved knowledge of many aspects of atopic diseases, the unfavorable trends in their prevalence particularly among children could not have been reversed. A growing body of evidence suggests that something may lack from our societal affluence that has the capacity to provide protection against the development of atopic diseases. Much attention during the last years has been devoted to the hygiene hypothesis. This review outlines the impact of environment and lifestyle, particularly from the perspective of the East–West gradient, on the development of atopic diseases, with a special emphasis on the hygiene hypothesis in its broadest sense.

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“…11 Animal experiments and studies in vitro have shown that lactobacilli can change the interleukin profile and inhibit antigen-induced IgE production. 12 , 13 Infants with milk allergy and atopic dermatitis had milder symptoms and fewer markers of intestinal inflammation if their milk formula was fortified with lactobacilli. 14 Thus, intestinal microflora could play a part in the development of atopy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atopy in children of families with an anthroposophic lifestyle

Swartz²,

et al. 1999

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The following Swedish research study comparing the rate of bronchial asthma, allergies, dermatitis and other atopic diseases among Waldorf school pupils and pupils in public schools originally appeared in the May 1, 1999, edition of the British medical journal, The Lancet. We reprint it here with permission of The Lancet.The findings indicate that Waldorf/Steiner school pupils were "at a significantly lower risk of atopy" than children attending public schools. The researchers investigated a variety of factors in the lives of the Steiner school pupils which might have contributed to this lower rate of atopy-breastfeeding, lack of immunization, avoidance of antibiotics and medications which reduce fevers, consumption of bio-dynamic and organic foods, and other physical aspects of the children's lives. The researchers called these "anthroposophic lifestyle characteristics" and quantified them as "Steiner units," which they found "generally difficult to interpret."The study did not attempt in any way to explore the effects of Waldorf education itself on the health and immunity from atopic disease of the children attending Steiner schools. Rudolf Steiner often emphasized the significance of education for the life forces of the developing child, not only during childhood but also as a basis for later health and illness; recent Research Bulletin articles as well as research consultations and their proceedings* have focused on this relationship.Further research is needed to explore the effects not only of the physical surroundings of the child (nutrition, immunizations, medications, etc.) but also the effects of the education itself, including such qualitative aspects as the role of the imagination, the arts, rhythm, speech and movement on the physiological processes of the body and the prevention of illness. Readers may also be interested SummaryBackground: Increased prevalence of atopic disorders in children may be associated with changes in types of childhood infections, vaccination programmes, and intestinal microflora. People who follow an anthroposophic way of life use antibiotics restrictively, have few vaccinations, and their diet usually contains live lactobacilli, which may affect the intestinal microflora. We aimed to study the prevalence of atopy in children from anthroposophic families and the influence of an anthroposophic lifestyle on atopy prevalence.

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Heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 suppresses naturally fed antigen–specific IgE production by stimulation of IL-12 production in mice

Cited by 250 publications

References 27 publications

Lactobacilli from human gastrointestinal mucosa are strong stimulators of IL-12 production

Lactobacilli from human gastrointestinal mucosa are strong stimulators of IL-12 production

Asthma and atopy – the price of affluence?

Atopy in children of families with an anthroposophic lifestyle

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