Lactobacillus plantarum DK119 as a Probiotic Confers Protection against Influenza Virus by Modulating Innate Immunity

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Minkyung Park, Emory University; NGO Vu, Georgia State University; Young-Man Kwon, Georgia State University; Young-Tae Lee, Georgia State University; Sieun Yoo, Georgia State University; Young-Hee Cho, Dankook University; Sung-Moon Hong, Dankook University; Hye Suk Hwang, Georgia State University; Eun-Ju Ko, Georgia State University; Yu-Jin Jung, Georgia State University; Dae-Won Moon, Tobico Inc; Eun-Ji Jeong, Tobico Inc; Min-Chul Kim, Georgia State University; Yu-Na Lee, Georgia State University; Ji-Hun Jang, Tobico Inc; Joon-Suk Oh, Tobico Inc; Cheol-Hyun Kim, Dankook University; Sang-Moo Kang, Georgia State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-10-04
• Publisher: Public Library Science
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2013 Park et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0075368
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: PLoS ONE
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 10
• Start Page: e75368
• End Page: e75368
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported in part by the research grant from Tobico Inc. (SMK), and NIH/NIAID grants AI093772 (SMK), AI087782 (SMK), and AI105170 (SMK).; MKP was a recipient of the faculty sabbatical training grant from Chungwoon University.
• Keywords: Human health; Alveolar macrophages; Improved cross-protection; Mice; Multidisciplinary Sciences; Infection; Science & Technology; Casei strain shirota; Science & Technology - Other Topics; SSP Bulgaricus OLL1073R-1; Responses; Dendritic cells; Lactid acid
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Biology, Virology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Nutrition; Health Sciences, Immunology

Abstract

Lactobacillus plantarum DK119 (DK119) isolated from the fermented Korean cabbage food was used as a probiotic to determine its antiviral effects on influenza virus. DK119 intranasal or oral administration conferred 100% protection against subsequent lethal infection with influenza A viruses, prevented significant weight loss, and lowered lung viral loads in a mouse model. The antiviral protective efficacy was observed in a dose and route dependent manner of DK119 administration. Mice that were treated with DK119 showed high levels of cytokines IL-12 and IFN-γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, and a low degree of inflammation upon infection with influenza virus. Depletion of alveolar macrophage cells in lungs and bronchoalveolar lavages completely abrogated the DK119-mediated protection. Modulating host innate immunity of dendritic and macrophage cells, and cytokine production pattern appeared to be possible mechanisms by which DK119 exhibited antiviral effects on influenza virus infection. These results indicate that DK119 can be developed as a beneficial antiviral probiotic microorganism.