Comparison of activity to stimulate mucosal IgA production between Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NTM048 and type strain JCM6124 in mice

The effects of Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NTM048 and type strain JCM6124(T) on the murine immune system were characterized. Although the bacterial cells and exopolysaccharides of each strain induced immunoglobulin A production in Peyer’s patch cells, the effects of NTM048 were more potent than those of JCM6124(T). Oral administration of the cells of each strain increased the fecal immunoglobulin A content in NTM048-treated mice, but not in JCM6124(T)-treated mice. A flow cytometric analysis showed that the CD4(+) T-cell populations in the mouse spleens tended to increase in the NTM048 group. These results suggest that immunomodulating ability is characteristic of strain NTM048.