Differential suppression of heat-killed lactobacilli isolated from kimchi, a Korean traditional food, on airway hyper-responsiveness in mice.
BACKGROUND
Probiotics have been shown to be effective in reducing allergic symptoms. However, there are few studies to evaluate the therapeutic effects of lactobacilli on allergen-induced airway inflammation.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether three heat-killed lactobacilli, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus curvatus and Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei, isolated from kimchi, exerted inhibitory effects on airway hyper-responsiveness in a murine asthma model.


METHODS
Heat-killed lactic acid bacteria were orally administered into BALB/c mice, followed by challenge with aerosolized ovalbumin, after which allergic symptoms were evaluated.


RESULTS
Airway inflammation was suppressed in the L. plantarum- and L. curvatus-treated mice. Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 levels were significantly lower in the L. plantarum- and L. curvatus-treated mice than in those treated with L. sakei subsp. sakei. Importantly, heat-killed L. plantarum administration induced Foxp3 expression in intestinal lamina propria cells, and heat-killed L. curvatus induced IL-10 as a way of inducing tolerance.


CONCLUSIONS
Specific strains of lactobacilli isolated from kimchi can effectively suppress airway hyper-responsiveness.
Hong
Hye-Jin
HJ
Division of Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, 5-ga, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-713, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Eugene
E
Cho
Daeho
D
Kim
Tae Sung
TS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007114:Immunization; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000276:immunology*; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D010047:Ovalbumin