Immunomodulatory effect of halophilic lactic acid bacterium Tetragenococcus halophilus Th221 from soy sauce moromi grown in high-salt medium.
A halophilic lactic acid bacterium, Tetragenococcus halophilus, was found to possess an immunomodulatory activity that promotes T helper type 1 (Th1) immunity in addition to its important roles in soy sauce brewing. Strain Th221 was selected from 151 strains isolated from soy sauce (shoyu) moromi, since it induced strong interleukin (IL)-12 production by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The relationship between the salt concentration in the medium and the IL-12 production-inducing activity of this strain was investigated, and the activity was found to be strong when the bacteria were grown in medium containing > or =10% (w/v) salt. The Th1-promoting activity was also manifested in an in vivo mouse study, since Th1-dependant contact sensitivity was augmented and Th2 immunity, as evaluated by specific immunoglobulin E production, was suppressed following oral ingestion of Th221. Based on these findings, Th221 administration may be useful for improving allergic symptoms.
Masuda
Susumu
S
Research and Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, 399 Noda, Noda City, Chiba, 278-0037, Japan.
Yamaguchi
Hitomi
H
Kurokawa
Toshiko
T
Shirakami
Tomoyuki
T
Tsuji
Ryohei F
RF
Nishimura
Ikuko
I
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005285:Fermentation; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D045730:Soy Foods / Q000382:microbiology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D018664:Interleukin-12; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012965:Sodium Chloride