Ibaraki Prefectural Government

NEWS RELEASE

Research Suggests Human Immune Function andViral Infection Suppression Can Be Enhancedby Bacillus subtilis BNResults of joint experiments are announced by the Industrial Technology
Innovation Center of Ibaraki Prefecture and Teijin Meguro InstituteTokyo, Japan, August 30, 2023 --- The Industrial Technology Innovation Center ofIbaraki Prefecture and Teijin Meguro Institute Co., Ltd. a Teijin Group company, today
announced results from their joint research into the human immunity enhancement andvirus protection potential of Bacillus subtilis BN known as “natto-kin” in Japanese. In vitroexperiments by the two organizations showed that, when added to both normal immune
cells (M1-phenotype macrophages) and immune cells model mimicking viral infection,
Bacillus subtilis BN appeared to trigger significant secretion of proteins (cytokines)
involved in immune enhancement. This finding suggests that Bacillus subtilis BN
strengthens the immune function in the human body and may contribute to suppressionof viral infections.
Natto is a popular traditional Japanese food made from whole soybeans that have been
fermented with Bacillus subtilis natto. Ibaraki Prefecture is home to major producers ofnatto. Teijin Meguro Institute manufactures Bacillus subtilis BN and other probiotics.
The two organizations will continue to study the effects of Bacillus subtilis BN regarding
its potential for the prevention and reduction of viral infections.
The Industrial Technology Innovation Center of Ibaraki Prefecture supports businesscreation and pioneering research in a wide range of industries. It has engaged in many
projects related to foods such as natto, a major product in Ibaraki Prefecture. Teijin
Meguro Institute uses advanced technology for culturing Bacillus subtilis natto and lactic
acid bacteria used for pharmaceuticals, health food raw materials and feed additives.
APPENDIX 1: Significance of this joint research and future possibilities
The spread of infectious diseases triggered by various viruses such as influenza and
COVID-19 poses serious social problems. M1-phenotype macrophages, the immune
cells used in this study, work to protect the human body from infectious diseases byexhibiting inflammatory and immune responses.
As previously reported, Bacillus subtilis BN enhances the immune function of mousederived macrophages, as shown through in vitro tests. (*1). The current study builds onthat work, finding that Bacillus subtilis BN enhances the immune function of human M1-

phenotype macrophages in normal immune cells and immune cells model mimicking viralinfection. The results suggest that Bacillus subtilis BN may enhance immune function in
the human body and suppress viral infection.
The results of this research were presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Kanto
Branch of Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry, which washeld on August 25, 2023, at Meiji University’s Ikuta Campus.(2)The Industrial Technology Innovation Center of Ibaraki Prefecture and Teijin Meguro
Institute will use their research to promote the efficacy of natto and encourage companies
in Ibaraki Prefecture that manufacture supplements and processed foods to use Bacillus
subtilis natto to develop new products.
Reference:(*1) Tobita K, Meguro R. Bacillus subtilis BN strain promotes Th1 response via toll-likereceptor 2 in polarized mouse M1 macrophage. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 46 (2),e14046, 2022.
(*2) Tobita K, Kotsuna K. Immunoregulatory effect of Bacillus subtilis natto (BN strain) invirus pseudo-infected cell model. The 2023 Annual Meeting of the Kanto Branch ofJapan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry.

APPENDIX 2: Overview of the results from this joint research

GlossaryNote 1) Single-stranded RNA virus: Viruses can be divided into two types. DNA viruseshave deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as their genomic nucleic acid. RNA viruseshave ribonucleic acid (RNA) as their genome. RNA viruses can be either single-

or double-stranded. SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are classified as singlestranded RNA viruses..
Note 2) Resiquimod: One of the imidazoquinoline derivatives. Also known as an agonist oftoll-like receptors 7 and 8 (TLR7/TLR8) that recognizes virus-derived singlestranded RNA.
Note 3) Interferon: A type of cytokine produced as a protein in the human body to protect
against viral infections.

About the Industrial Technology Innovation Center of Ibaraki Prefecture
The Industrial Technology Innovation Center of Ibaraki Prefecture supports businesscreation and helps to organize joint research projects among industry, government andacademic entities. It also contributes to the industrial development in Ibaraki Prefectureby promoting transformation and growth of enterprises in the prefecture, including
developing human resources.
About the Teijin GroupTeijin (TSE: 3401) is a technology-driven global group with two core businesses: highperformance materials and healthcare solutions. Established in 1918 as Japan’s firstrayon manufacturer, Teijin today comprises some 170 companies employing 20,000
people in 20 countries. Through “Human Chemistry, Human Solutions,” Teijinrelentlessly strives to aims to be a company that supports the society of the future byprotecting the global environment and addressing the needs of people and communities.
Teijin posted consolidated sales of JPY 1,018.8 billion (USD 7.6 billion) and total assetsof JPY 1,242.4 billion (USD 9.2 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023.
Press Contact
Technical Support Department
The Industrial Technology Innovation Center of Ibaraki Prefecture+81 (0)29 293 7497
food_chemical2@itic.pref.ibaraki.jp
Investor and Public Relations Department
Teijin Limited
pr@teijin.co.jp