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European Journal of Nutrition

09-04-2024 | Probiotics | Original Contribution

Lacticaseibacillus casei K11 exerts immunomodulatory effects by enhancing natural killer cell cytotoxicity via the extracellular regulated-protein kinase pathway

Authors: Yu Zhou, Malina Kuerman, Qi Zhou, Baochao Hou, Baolei Li, Yang Li, Lanwei Zhang, Tongjie Liu

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition

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Abstract

Purpose

Probiotics can serve as immunomodulators that regulate the activation of immune cells. This study aimed to screen potential probiotic strains that can enhance NK cell toxicity to improve host immunity.

Methods

In this investigation, we examined three potential probiotic strains, namely Lactiplantibacillus plantarum YZX21 (YZX21), Bifidobacterium bifidum FL-276.1 (FL-276.1) and Lacticaseibacillus casei K11 (K11), to assess their capacity in modulating NK cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo, while elucidating the underlying mechanisms involved.

Results

The findings demonstrated that K11 exhibited superior efficacy in enhancing NK cytotoxicity. Subsequent analysis revealed that K11 significantly augmented the secretion of perforin and granzyme B by NK cells through activation of receptors NKp30 and NKp46 via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Furthermore, heat-inactivated K11 also enhanced NK cell activity to an extent comparable to live bacteria, with lipoteichoic acid from K11 identified as a crucial factor mediating the activation of NK cell cytotoxicity.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that K11 may have potential applications as probiotics or postbiotics for regulating NK cell cytotoxicity to enhance immunity.
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Metadata
Title
Lacticaseibacillus casei K11 exerts immunomodulatory effects by enhancing natural killer cell cytotoxicity via the extracellular regulated-protein kinase pathway
Authors
Yu Zhou
Malina Kuerman
Qi Zhou
Baochao Hou
Baolei Li
Yang Li
Lanwei Zhang
Tongjie Liu
Publication date
09-04-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword
Probiotics
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-024-03390-2
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Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

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