Open AccessImmunostimulatory activity of Bacillus spores
Author(s) -
Huang JenMin,
La Ragione Roberto M.,
Nunez Alejandro,
Cutting Simon M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2008.00415.x
Subject(s) - biology , bacillus subtilis , tlr2 , microbiology and biotechnology , proinflammatory cytokine , tlr4 , spore , mesenteric lymph nodes , toll like receptor , tumor necrosis factor alpha , immunity , peyer's patch , innate immune system , bacillus (shape) , bacillus licheniformis , immunology , antigen , immune system , bacteria , inflammation , genetics
Bacillus species, typically Bacillus subtilis , are being used as probiotics and mounting evidence indicates that Bacillus species are important for development of a robust gut‐associated lymphoid system (GALT). We used a number of gut isolates of Bacillus incorporating three species, B. subtilis , Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus flexus to evaluate the nature of interaction between spores and the GALT. In mice orally administered with spores, evidence of cell proliferation was determined in the germinal centers of Peyer's patches. Stimulation of antigen‐presenting cells and T lymphocytes was also markedly enhanced. Cytokines were shown to be induced in spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes of mice including the proinflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor‐α and IL‐6. We also demonstrated that vegetative cells of B. subtilis can stimulate expression of the toll‐like receptor (TLR) genes for TLR2 and TLR4. However, we were able to show that spores could not stimulate either and must, by default, interact with another TLR and by this mechanism help activate innate immunity.