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.
Research and Development Division, Kikkoman Corporation, 399 Noda, Noda City, Chiba, 278-0037, Japan.
Susumu
S
Masuda
Hitomi
H
Yamaguchi
Toshiko
T
Kurokawa
Tomoyuki
T
Shirakami
Ryohei F
RF
Tsuji
Ikuko
I
Nishimura
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