Phil-Dong Moon1,2, Jin Soo Lee1, Hee-Yun Kim1, Na-Ra Han1, Inyeong Kang3, Hyung-Min Kim1, Hyun-Ja Jeong4. 1. 1 Department of Pharmacology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea. 2. 2 Center for Converging Humanities, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea. 3. 3 Biogenicskorea Co., Ltd., Seoul 06628, Republic of Korea. 4. 4 Department of Food Science & Technology and Biochip Research Center, Hoseo University, Chungnam 31499, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Recently, Lactobacillus plantarum (nF1) has been reported to have immune-enhancing effects in an immunosuppressed-animal model. Natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages play important roles in the immune responses. However, immunomodulatory effects of heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum-nF1 (hLp-nF1) on the activation of NK cells and macrophages have not been elucidated. METHODOLOGY: We assessed whether hLp-nF1 could elevate the activation of NK cells and macrophages using cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppressed BALB/c mice and RAW 264.7 macrophages. A nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis and NK cell activity assay were used to examine the effects of hLp-nF1 on the immune enhancement.Results/Key findings. Administration of hLp-nF1-elevated NK cell activities and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-12 in CP-induced immunosuppressed mice. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, treatment with hLp-nF1 increased the production of NO and expression of inducible NO synthase. Simultaneously, hLp-nF1 increased the production of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6 from RAW 264.7 cells. Finally, hLp-nF1 induced activation of nuclear factor-κB and phosphorylation of IκBα. CONCLUSION: We identified that hLp-nF1 has an immune-enhancing effect through the activation of NK cells and macrophages. Therefore, these findings suggest that hLp-nF1 would be helpful to enhance the immunity.
PURPOSE: Recently, Lactobacillus plantarum (nF1) has been reported to have immune-enhancing effects in an immunosuppressed-animal model. Natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages play important roles in the immune responses. However, immunomodulatory effects of heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum-nF1 (hLp-nF1) on the activation of NK cells and macrophages have not been elucidated. METHODOLOGY: We assessed whether hLp-nF1 could elevate the activation of NK cells and macrophages using cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppressed BALB/c mice and RAW 264.7 macrophages. A nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis and NK cell activity assay were used to examine the effects of hLp-nF1 on the immune enhancement.Results/Key findings. Administration of hLp-nF1-elevated NK cell activities and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-12 in CP-induced immunosuppressed mice. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, treatment with hLp-nF1 increased the production of NO and expression of inducible NO synthase. Simultaneously, hLp-nF1 increased the production of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6 from RAW 264.7 cells. Finally, hLp-nF1 induced activation of nuclear factor-κB and phosphorylation of IκBα. CONCLUSION: We identified that hLp-nF1 has an immune-enhancing effect through the activation of NK cells and macrophages. Therefore, these findings suggest that hLp-nF1 would be helpful to enhance the immunity.