title: Asthma Prevention by Lactobacillus Rhamnosus in a Mouse Model is Associated With CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T Cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Probiotic bacteria can induce immune regulation or immune tolerance in allergic diseases. The underlying mechanisms have been recently investigated, but are still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lcr35) in a mouse model of asthma and to identify its mechanism of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lcr35 was administered daily by the oral route at a dosage of 1×10(9) CFU/mouse in BALB/c mice for 7 days before the first sensitization. Clinical parameters and regulatory T (Treg) cells were examined. The role of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells was analyzed using a Treg cell-depleting anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (mAb).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Airway hyperresponsiveness, total IgE production, pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation, and splenic lymphocyte proliferation were suppressed after Lcr35 treatment. Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) cytokines in the serum were suppressed, and the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells in the spleen was significantly increased in the Lcr35 treatment group. Anti-CD25 mAb administration abolished the protective effects of Lcr35, indicating that CD4(+) CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells are essential in mediating the activity of Lcr35.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral administration of Lcr35 attenuated the features of allergic asthma in a mouse model and induced immune regulation by a CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cell-mediated mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Asan Institute for Life Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Ok
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Ha-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mi-Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Ji-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Ju-Hee
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Hyung Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byoung-Ju
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jinho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Soo-Jong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong