Lactobacillus plantarum isolated from kimchi suppress food allergy by modulating cytokine production and mast cells activation

Commensal bacteria interact with mucosal immune or epithelial cells to modulate the immune system. Probiotics have been proposed as a novel preventive or therapeutic method for immunological diseases because of their ability to alter intestinal microflora. Herein, lactobacilli isolated from kimchi were tested for their capacity to modulate intestinal allergy in mice. Lactic acid bacteria suppressed IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17A cytokine production in splenocytes from OVA-sensitized mice in vitro. In a mouse model of food allergy, lactobacilli significantly inhibited the expression of Th2-associated gene products such as GATA3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 in the small intestine. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were lower in the lactobacillus group. Lactic acid bacteria also modulated mast cell infiltration and activation. Serum IgE/IgG2a and IgG1/IgG2a ratios were altered to alleviate Th2 responses. In conclusion, lactobacilli from kimchi effectively regulated intestinal allergy by suppressing Th2 responses and modulating mast cell function and recruitment.