title: Distinct immunomodulatory properties of Lactobacillus paracasei strains.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to ascertain the immunomodulatory effect of Lactobacillus paracasei strains. These strains were also genetically characterized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The strains were genetically differentiated by using the fluorescent-amplified fragment length polymorphism technique, which led to the identification of several molecular markers unique to each strain. To determine the immunomodulatory properties, we evaluated the effect of strains on dendritic cell maturation, dextran uptake, ability to induce proliferation of allogenic T cells and cytokine secretion. The results indicated that all the strains stimulated phenotypic maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), but they acted differently on DCs in relation to the other tested properties; notably, a different effect on cytokine secretion was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study revealed different immunomodulatory properties of strains of the species Lact. paracasei. Strain IMPC 4.1 showed an interesting anti-inflammatory ability. Probiotic strains IMPC 2.1 and LMG P-17806 were characterized by a similar and intermediate ability to induce cytokine secretion in contrast to the very low ability of strain LMG 23554.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results confirm that each single strain of a bacterial species appears to influence the immune system in a peculiar manner. The evaluation of the different types and/or levels of cytokines whose secretion is induced by each strain could be relevant to define its pro- or anti-inflammatory properties and its more appropriate clinical use.
authors: Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council (CNR), Avellino, Italy.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: D'Arienzo
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Bozzella
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Rossi
authors: P
authors: P
authors: De Bellis
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Lavermicocca
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Sisto
mesh_terms: D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D003911:Dextrans / Q000378:metabolism; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D019936:Probiotics; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003911:Dextrans; D007155:Immunologic Factors