Orally administered Lactobacillus strains differentially affect the direction and efficacy of the immune response.

In mice, strain dependent cytokine production profiles are induced after oral administration of Lactobacillus. Such a cytokine profile seems to determine the direction and efficacy of the humoral response. In SJL mice lactobacilli are able to enhance or inhibit the development of disease after induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Immuno-histochemical analysis of cytokine profiles showed that differential modulation is obtained dependent on the Lactobacillus strain applied. Serum antibody responses to i.p. immunisation with chicken gamma globulin in BALB/c mice are also modulated by oral application of Lactobacillus. Lactobacilli are now being developed as safe live antigen carriers for application in vaccine technology, but also for the excretion of autoantigens in order to induce tolerance. The findings of this study imply that by proper strain selection the direction of the response can be influenced by the induction of a specific cytokine profile.