IMMUNITY ENHANCING LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

Abstract: Novel bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and HN 067, Lactobacillus acidophilus HN017, and Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 are claimed. Each strain provides immune enhancing effects when ingested.

Description: IMMUNITY ENHANCING LACTIC ACID BACTERIA Technical Field This invention relates to novel strains of lactic acid bacteria and their use in enhancing immunity. Background Art The consumption of products containing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is associated with a range of health benefits including enhancement of immunity. There .are thousands of strains of lactic acid bacteria but only some strains exhibit health-promoting properties. The ability of these bacteria to tolerate acids and bile salts, adhere to mucosal epithelial cells, and to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract is considered an important criterion for selection of health-promoting strains. Only a few strains of lactic acid bacteria with proven health benefits have been identified to date. Strains of LAB showing good adhesion to the cells of the mucosal epithelium of the small intestine thereby lending themselves to therapeutic applications are known from New Zealand Patent 248057. The micro-organisms described in this patent enhance both natural immunity (phagocyte function) .and acquired immunity (antibody responses and lymphocyte proliferation responses). It is desirable to have other LAB bacteria that enhance a broad spectrum of immune responses including phagocyte function. It is an object of this invention to go some way towards achieving these desiderata or at least to offer the public a useful choice of immune enhancing lactic acid bacteria. Disclosure of the Invention Accordingly, in one aspect the invention may be said broadly to consist of a biologically pure culture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HNOOl, AGAL deposit number NM97/09514 dated 18 August 1997. In another aspect the invention may be said broadly to consist of a biologically pure culture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN067, AGAL deposit number NM97/01925 dated 17 February 1998. In another aspect the invention may be said broadly to consist of a composition of a biologically pure culture of any one of Lactobacillus acidophilus HN017, AGAL deposit number NM97/09515 dated 18 August 1997, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HNOOl, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN067 or Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, AGAL deposit number NM97/09513 dated 18 August 1997 in an immunostimulating concentration, with a physiologically acceptable excipient or diluent. In one embodiment said composition contains any two or more of said strains. Preferably said physiologically acceptable excipient or diluent is a food. Preferably said food is any one of cultured milk, yoghurt, cheese, milk drink or milk powder. Alternatively said composition is a pharmaceutical composition and said excipient or diluent is pharmacologically acceptable excipient or diluent. Immunity enhancing, physiologically acceptable, biologically pure strains of homologues or mutants of any one of the strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus HN017, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HNOOl, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, or Lactobacillus acidophilus HN067. In another embodiment the invention may be said broadly to consist of a method of enhancing natural and acquired immunity which comprises administering to a mammal any one of the above biologically pure cultures at an immunostimulating dosage rate. In another embodiment substantially biologically pure cultures of two or three of the above-defined strains are present. Preferably said culture is administered in the form of a composition with a physiologically acceptable excipient or diluent. Preferably said physiologically acceptable excipient or diluent is a food. Preferably said food is cultured milk, yoghurt, cheese, milk drink or milk powder. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows the effect of supplementation of mice with product fermented with L. rhamnosus HNOOl or unfermented product containing L. rhamnosus HNOOl on phagocyte activity of peripheral blood leukocytes as described in example 5. BALB/c mice were fed on milk based diets containing 10 9 cfu (per day) L. rhamnosus HNOOl in either fermented or unfermented product for 14 days. Phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes was determined using flow cytometry and fluoroscein isothiocyanate-labelled Escherichia coli. Values are mean ± standard error. Significant differences (ANOVA, the SAS program) from the control: **P<0.0001. Figure 2 shows the effect of supplementation of mice with live L. rhamnosus HNOOl or heat killed L. rhamnosus HNOOl on phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes as described in example 7. BALB/c mice were fed on milk based diets and orally administered 10 9 cfu (per day) of either live or heat killed L. rhamnosus HNOOl for 14 days. Phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages were determined using flow cytometry and fluoroscein isothiocyanate - labelled Escherichia coli. Values are mean ± standard error. Significant differences (ANOVA, the SAS program) from the control, **P<0.0001. Figure 3 shows the effect of supplementation of mice with L. rhamnosus HNOOl or B. lactis HN019 on bacteria translocation in mice challenged with S. typhimurium as described in example 8. Unsupplemented and B. lactis HN019, or L. rhamnosus HNOOl supplemented BALB/c mice were orally challenged with S. typhimurium following continuous daily supplementation. Six days after challenge mice were humanely killed and their livers and spleens were harvested for monitoring bacterial translocation. Tissue suspensions from the harvested organs were then cultured on MacConkey agar plates for 24-48hr prior to enumeration. Values are mean ± standard error. Significant differences (ANOVA, the SAS program) from the control: *P<0.05. Figure 4 shows the effect of supplementation of mice with L. rhamnosus HNOOl or B. lactis HN019 on the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes from mice challenged with S. typhimurium as described in example 8. Unsupplemented and B. lactis HN019, or L. rhamnosus HNOOl supplemented BALB/c mice were orally challenged with S. typhimurium following continuous daily supplementation. Phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes was determined six days after challenge using flow cytometry and fluoroscein isothiocyanate-labelled Escherichia coli. Values .are mean ± standard error. Values (mean ± standard error) with different superscripts are significantly different (ANOVA, the SAS program): PO.01. Figure 5 shows the effect of supplementation of mice with L. rhamnosus HNOOl or B. lactis HN019 on the proliferative responses of spleen lymphocytes from mice challenged with S. typhimurium as described in example 8. Unsupplemented and B. lactis HN019, or L. rhamnosus HNOOl supplemented BALB/c mice were orally challenged with S. typhimurium following continuous daily supplementation. Six days after challenge the proliferative responses of spleen lymphocytes were measured colourimetrically following the incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine for the final 16hrs of the 96hr incubation. Values (mean ± standard error) with different superscripts are significantly different (ANOVA, the SAS program): P<0.01). Modes of Carrying out the Invention Freeze dried cultures of the four bacterial strains have been deposited at the Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL), The New South Wales Regional Laboratory, 1 Suakin Street, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia. Details of the deposits are: Strain Number Date L. acidophilus HN017 NM97/09515 18 August 1997 L. rhamnosus HNOOl NM97/09514 18 August 1997 B. lactis HN019 NM97/09513 18 August 1997 L. rhamnosus HN067 NM97/01925 11 February 1998 The four strains identified above have been found to enhance a broad spectrum of immune responses including both natural and acquired immune responses. Example 1 - Morphology and General Properties RAPD analysis, 16S rRNA sequencing and SDS-PAGE analyses were used to confirm taxonomical characterisation of strains. It was also found that L. acidophilus HN017 was genetically different from L. acidophilus (LCI) of New Zealand Patent No. 248057. RAPD analysis, 16S rRNA sequencing and SDS-PAGE analyses were used to confirm taxonomical characterisation of L. rhamnosus HN067; species-specific primers used for characterisation of L. rhamnosus HN067 at molecular level included Pr I (forward) 5-CAGACTGAAAGTCTGACGG-3 and Pha II (reverse) 5- GCGATGCGAATTTCTATTATT-3. The morphology and sugar fermentation properties of this strain are detailed in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 - Morphology and other characteristics Table 2 - Carbohydrate fermentation pattern of selected Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains API 50 CH sugar fermentation kit was used to determine the sugar fermentation pattern. * The scores are based on scores of 22 prominent sugars (Bergey's manual) Example 2 - Adhesion to Intestinal Cells The ability of probiotic strains to adhere to human intestinal epithelial cells (HT-29 and CaCo-2) was assessed in vitro using differentiated cell-lines. Monolayers of HT- 29 and CaCo-2 cells were grown on cover slips and placed in multi-well dishes. 10 8 cfu/ml of LAB in 1 ml of spent culture supernatant was then added to cell layers along with 1 ml of DMEM medium and incubated for 1 hr at 37° C in 10% CO 2 -90% air. Monolayers were washed 4 times with PBS, fixed in methanol, Gram strained and the number of bacteria adhering to epithelial cells determined microscopically. On average, 20 fields were counted and the results are summarised in Table 3. Table 3 - Adherence to HT-29 and CaCo-2 cell lines* Number (mean ± SEM) of bacteria/ 100 epithelial cells Example 3 - Enhancement of Natural and Acquired Immunity The immunoenhancing effects of the three strains L. rhamnosus HNOOl, L. acidophilus HN017 and B. lactis HN019 were examined by determining phagocyte (blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophage) function, and quantifying concentrations of specific antibodies to protein antigens used for mimicking responses to vaccines in mice. The following experimental protocol was used: 1. Six-to-seven week old BALB/c mice, weighing 20-30g were used. 2. Mice were randomly allocated to different treatment groups (Table 4) 3. Mice were fed L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl or B. lactis HN019 (10 9 cfu/day) in 50μl skim milk for 10 days. Control mice received 50μl of skim milk powder only. 4. All mice received skim milk powder based diet throughout the experiment. Blood leukocytes and macrophages from mice receiving L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl or B. lactis HN019 showed significantly greater phagocytic capacity compared with cells from control mice (Table 4). The production of oxygen radicals (oxidative burst) by leukocytes from probiotic fed mice was also higher than the control mice (data not shown). Table 4 - The effect of dietary L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl and B. lactis HN019 on phagocyte function in mice BALB/c mice were orally administered with 10 9 cfu (per day) L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl or B. lactis HN019 for 10 days. Phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages was determined using flow cytometry and fluorescein isothiocyanate - labelled Escherichia coli. Values are mean ± standard error. Significant differences (Students t test) from the control: *P < 0.05, **P <0.01. The concentration of specific IgG antibodies in the sera and in the intestinal washings of mice receiving L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl or B. lactis HN019 was also greater than those of control mice (Table 5). Table 5 - The effect of dietary L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl and B. lactis HN019 on serum and mucosal antibody responses BALB/c mice were orally administered with 10 9 cfu (per day) L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl or B. lactis HN019 for 10 days. Mice were immunised with cholera toxin (an antigen used to mimic enteric infection) on days 0 and 7. The concentration of specific antibodies in serum and intestinal secretions were measured using ELISA on day 10. Values represent mean ± standard error. Significant differences (Students t test) from control: *P = 0.08; **P<0.05; ***P<0.01. Example 4 - Immunostimulating Effects Following Supplementation with LAB for Four Weeks The immunostimulating effects of L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, and B. lactis HN019 were assessed in mice using the following experimental protocol: 1. Six-to-seven week old BALB/c mice, weighing 20-30g were used. 2. Mice were randomly allocated (18/group) to different treatment groups. 3. After acclimatisation (for 7 days), mice were given 10 9 cfu (per day) L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, or B. lactis HN019, in 50 μl skim milk, for 28 days (from day 0 to day 28). Control mice received 50 μl skim milk (without any micro-organisms) only. 4. Mice were offered a skim milk powder based-diet and water ad libitum, throughout the experiment. 5. Immunostimulating effects were assessed by monitoring phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages, NK-cell activity of splenic lymphocytes, lymphocyte proliferation (spleen cells) responses to a T-cell mitogen, ConA (an indicator of cell-mediated immunity) and antibody responses to Tetanus vaccine. As seen in Table 6, leukocytes (neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages) from mice receiving !, acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, or B. lactis HN019 exhibited significantly greater phagocytic activity (an indicator of natural immunity) than leukocytes from control mice. Table 6 - The effect of dietary L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, and £. / cris HN019 in mice Mice (18/group) were given 10 9 cfu (per day) L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, or B. lactis HN019 in 50 μl skim milk for 28 days. Phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes/peritoneal macrophages was determined on day 28 using flow cytometry and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled E. coli. Values are least square means. Significant differences (the SAS analysis): *P<0.002, **P<0.0005. Consumption of L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, or B. lactis HN019 for 28 days also resulted in an increase in the NK-cell activity, lymphocyte proliferation responses to ConA and antibody responses to Tetanus vaccine. For all these indicators of immunocompetence, mice receiving L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, or B. lactis HN019 had higher responses than those of control mice (Table 7). Together these results show that supplementation for extended periods with L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, or B. lactis HN019 is able to induce a sustained enhancement in several aspects of natural and acquired immunity. Table 7 - The effect of dietary L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, and B. lactis HN019 on NK cell activity and lymphocyte proliferation responses to ConA and antibody responses to Tetanus vaccine. Mice (18/group) were given 10 9 cfu (per day) L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, or B. lactis HN019 in 50 μl skim milk for 28 days (i.e. from days 0 to 28). NK-cell activity of splenic lymphocytes was determined on day 28 using flow cytometry and D275-labelled Yac-1 cells. Lymphocyte proliferation responses of splenic lymphocytes to ConA were assessed on day 28 using a commercial cell proliferation kit (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany). For antibody responses, mice were immunised with Tetanus vaccine (50 μl/dose, CSL, Australia) on days 7 and 21. The concentration of specific antibodies were determined using an ELISA; antigen supplied by the vaccine manufacturers (CSL, Australia) was used for coating plates. Values are least square means of 18 mice. Significant differences (the SAS analysis): *P <0.05. Example 5 - Enhancement of Natural and Acquired Immunity Using Fermented versus Unfermented Products The aim was to assess the immunoenhancing efficacy of yoghurt made (fermented) using the probiotic strain L. rhamnosus HNOOl compared to unfermented product containing L. rhamnosus HNOOl. The immunoenhancing effects were examined by determining the phagocyte function (peripheral blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages) and lymphocyte proliferative responses to a B-cell mitogen (LPS). The following experimental protocol was used: 1. Six-to-seven week old BALB/c mice, weighing 20-3 Og were used. 2. Mice were randomly allocated to different treatment groups. 3. Control mice received a whole milk powder-based diet throughout the experiment. 4. Test mice received 2.5g yoghurt made using L. rhamnosus HNOOl (10 9 cfu/day) or 2.5g whole milk containing L. rhamnosus HNOOl (10 9 cfu/day) per day as well as a whole milk powder based diet for 14 days. Results Mice receiving yoghurt made with L. rhamnosus HNOO 1 or whole milk containing L. rhamnosus HNOO 1 displayed a significantly higher level of phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes than was observed in mice receiving the control diet (Fig 1). This increase was seen irrespective of whether the L. rhamnosus HNOOl was delivered in the yoghurt (fermented with L. rhamnosus HNOOl) or unfermented product containing L. rhamnosus HNOOl. There was no difference in the level of phagocytic activity between mice receiving the fermented yoghurt made using L. rhamnosus (HNOOl) compared to unfermented WMP product containing L. rhamnosus (HNOOl). Both the unfermented and L. rhamnosus HNOOl fermented product fed mice showed higher lymphocyte proliferative responses to LPS than the control mice (Table 8). There was no significant difference in the response between mice receiving unfermented product containing L. rhamnosus HNOO 1 and mice receiving product fermented with L. rhamnosus HNOO 1. Table 8 - The effect of fermented and unfermented L. rhamnosus HNOOl on lymphocyte proliferative responses in mice BALB/c mice were fed on milk based diets containing 10 9 cfu (per day) L. rhamnosus HNOOl in either unfermented product or yoghurt made with L. rhamnosus HNOOl (fermented product) for 14 days. Control mice received milk-based diet without any LAB. Proliferative responses were measured colourimetrically following the incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine for the final 16hrs of the 96hr incubation. Values are means ± standard error. Significant differences (Students t test) from the control: *P=0.05. Together these results suggest that supplementation with L. rhamnosus HNOOl enhances a range of immune functions including phagocytic activity and lymphocyte cell proliferation. L. rhamnosus HNOOl presented in either fermented or unfermented product is effective at eliciting enhancement of immune function, with fermented product giving a greater response for some functions .and unfermented being superior in others. Example 6 - Enhancement of Natural and Acquired Immunity by L. rhamnosus HN067 Experiment 1. The immunoenhancing effects of L. rhamnosus HN067 were examined by monitoring phagocytic capacity of peripheral blood leukocytes .and peritoneal macrophages (indicator of non-specific immunity), and quantifying concentrations of specific antibodies to an immunisation antigen, cholera toxin (used for mimicking responses to enteric vaccines) in mice. The following experimental protocol was used: 1. Six-to-seven week old BALB/c mice, weighing 20-30g were used. They were fed on a skim milk-based diet throughout the experiment. 2. Mice in the test group (n=6) were orally administered L. rhamnosus HN067 (10 9 cfu day) in 50μl skim milk for 10 days. Control mice (n=6) received 50μl of skim milk powder (without any LAB) only. Results Blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages from mice receiving L. rhamnosus HN067 showed significantly greater phagocytic activity (enhanced phagocyte function) compared with cells from control mice. The results are set out in Table 9 below. Table 9 - The effect of dietary L. rhamnosus HN067 on phagocyte function BALB/c mice (6/group) were fed on milk-based diet with or without oral administration of L. rhamnosus HN067 (10 9 cfu/day) for 10 days. Phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages were determined using flow cytometry and fluorescein isothiocyanate - labelled E. coli. Values represent least square mean ± standard error LSM. Significant differences (the SAS program) from the control: *P=0.0005, **P=0.0001. The concentration of specific antibodies to cholera toxin, an antigen used for oral immunisation, in the sera and in the intestinal washings of mice receiving L. rhamnosus HN067 was also significantly greater than those of control mice (Table 10). Table 10 - The effect of dietary supplementation with L. rhamnosus HN067 on serum and mucosal antibody responses to cholera toxin BALB/c mice were fed on milk-based diet with or without L. rhamnosus HN067 (10 9 cfu/day) for 10 days. Mice were immunised orally with cholera toxin (lOμg/dose), an antigen used to mimic enteric infection, on days 0 and 7. Antibody levels in serum and intestinal secretions were measured using ELISA on day 10. Values represent least square mean ± stand.ard error LSM. Significant differences (the SAS program) from control: *P=0.02; **P=0.0039. Experiment 2. The immunostimulating effects of L. rhamnosus HN067 were assessed in mice using the following experimental protocol: 1. Six-to-seven week old BALB/c mice, weighing 20-30g were used. They were offered skim milk powder based diet and water ad libitum, throughout the experiment. 2. After acclimatisation for 7 days, mice in group 1 (n=20) were orally administered with 10 9 cfu (per day) L. rhamnosus (HN067) in 50 μl skim milk (group 1 n = 20) for 14 days. Control mice (group 2, n = 20) received skim milk without any microorganisms. 3. Immunostimulating effects were assessed by monitoring phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages, and spleen lymphocyte proliferation responses to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (T .and B-cell mitogens respectively). Results Blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages from mice receiving L. rhamnosus HN067 exhibited significantly greater phagocytic activity (an indicator of natural immunity) than leukocytes and macrophages from control mice (Table 11). Table 11 - The effect of dietary L. rhamnosus HN067 on phagocyte function in mice BALB/c mice were fed on milk-based diet with or without oral administration of L. rhamnosus HN067 (10 9 cfu/day) for 14 days. Phagocytic activity of blood leukocytes/peritoneal macrophages were determined on day 14 using flow cytometry and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled E. coli. Values represent least square mean ± standard error LSM. Significant differences (the SAS program): *P=0.002, **P=0.0001. Mice receiving L. rhamnosus HN067 for 14 days also displayed higher lymphocyte proliferation responses to PHA and LPS compared with control mice (Table 12). Table 12 - The effect of L. rhamnosus HN067 supplementation on lymphocyte proliferation responses to PHA and LPS BALB/c mice were fed on milk-based diet with or without oral administration of L. rhamnosus HN067 (10 9 cfu day) for 14 days. Lymphocyte proliferation responses of spleen cells to PHA and LPS were assessed on day 14 using a commercial cell proliferation kit (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany). Values represent least square mean ± standard error LSM. Significant differences (the SAS program): *P<0.08, **P<0.01. In summary, mice receiving L. rhamnosus HN067 displayed significant enhancement of a range of host immune responses including leukocyte phagocytic function, antibody responses to oral immunisation, and lymphocyte proliferation responses to T and B-cell mitogens. Blood leukocytes (neutrophils and monocytes) and macrophages are major effectors of natural immunity and play a major role in protection against microbial infections. A correlation between in vitro lymphocyte proliferation responses to mitogens (T- and B-cell mitogens) and immunocompetence of an individual is also well documented. Therefore, these results suggest that supplementation with L. rhamnosus HN067 is able to enhance several aspects of natural and acquired immunity. Example 7 - Enhancement of Natural and Acquired Immunity Using Live and Heat Killed L. rhamnosus HNOOl The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunoenhancing effects of the probiotic strain L. rhamnosus HNOOl when presented in either the live or heat killed form. The effect on immune function was assessed by determining phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes. The effect of live and heat killed L. rhamnosus HNOOl on humoral immunity was investigated by immunising mice with cholera toxin, and measuring the concentrations of specific antibodies produced. The following experimental protocol was used: 1. Six-to-seven week old BALB/c mice, weighing 20-3 Og were used. 2. Mice were randomly allocated to different treatment groups. 3. Control mice received a skim milk powder based diet throughout the experiment. 4. Test mice receive either 10 9 cfu/day of live L. rhamnosus HNOOl or fO cfu/day heat killed L. rhamnosus HNOOl per day as well as a skim milk powder-based diet for 14 days. 5. Mice were orally immunised with cholera toxin on day 0 and day 7 of feeding. Results L. rhamnosus HNOOl feeding significantly enhanced the level of phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes compared to mice receiving the control diet (Fig 2). This increase was seen irrespective of whether the L. rhamnosus HNOOl was delivered in the live or heat killed form. There was no difference in the level of phagocytic activity between the mice receiving live L. rhamnosus HNOOl compared to heat killed L. rhamnosus HNOOl. Feeding of both live and dead L. rhamnosus HNOOl induced an increase in both serum and mucosal antibody responses compared to the control mice. However, the level of response was significantly greater in the mice fed the live L. rhamnosus HNOOl (Table 13). Table 13 - The effect of live and heat killed L. rhamnosus HNOOl on serum and mucosal antibody responses to Cholera Toxin in mice BALB/c mice were fed on milk-based diets and orally administered 10 9 cfu (per day) L. rhamnosus HNOOl in either live or heat killed form for 14 days. Control mice received no LAB. Mice were orally immunised with Cholera Toxin on days 0 and 7. Antibody responses (serum and intestinal secretions) were measured using an ELISA on day 14. Values are mean ± standard error. Significant differences (Students t test) from the control: *P=0.05, ***P=0.0005. These results suggest that both live and heat killed L. rhamnosus HNOOl .are able to enhance aspects of natural and acquired immunity in mice. Example 8 - Anti-infection properties of B. lactis HN019 and L. rhamnosus HNOOl The aims of the current study were to: 1. Assess the protection efficacy of B. lactis HN019 and L. rhamnosus HNOOl against the gastrointestinal pathogen Salmonella typhimurium. 2. Determine the role of immunostimulation induced by B. lactis HN019 and L. rhamnosus HNOOl in protection against S. typhimurium infection in mice. Anti-infection properties were assessed by measurement of bacterial translocation to the liver and spleen. The immunoenhancing effects were examined by determining the phagocyte function (peripheral blood leukocytes and peritoneal macrophages) and lymphocyte proliferative responses to a T-cell mitogen (PHA). The following experimental protocol was used: 1. Six-to-seven week old BALB/c mice, weighing 20-3 Og were used. 2. Mice were randomly allocated to 4 difference treatment groups and were individually housed. 3. All mice received a skim milk powder based diet throughout the experiment. 4. Test mice commenced daily feeding of B. lactis HN019 or L. rhamnosus HNOOl (10 9 cfu/day) 7 days prior to challenge, and continued for the duration of the trial. 5. Mice administered with B. lactis HN019 or L. rhamnosus HNOOl and a control group (no LAB) were orally challenged with Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 1772) 8 x 10 5 cfu/day for 5 days starting on day 7. 6. An uninfected control group did not receive S. typhimurium challenge. 7. On day 6 after challenge mice were used for the measurement of bacterial translocation to the liver and spleen, and for immune function assessment. Results Both the B. lactis HN019 and L. rhamnosus HNOOl supplemented mice showed significantly lower levels of bacterial translocation into the liver and spleen than the S. typhimurium alone fed mice (Fig 3). Challenge infection resulted in a significant suppression of phagocyte function (Fig 4); the phagocytic activity of control mice challenged with S. typhimurium was significantly lower than that of the uninfected mice. However, infection with S. typhimurium had no effect on the phagocytic ability of peripheral blood leukocytes of mice supplemented with B. lactis HN019 or L. rhamnosus HNOOl. This was shown by similar levels of phagocytic activity in mice supplemented with B. lactis HN019 or L. rhamnosus HNOOl and challenged with S. typhimurium and the normal uninfected control mice. Both the B. lactis HN019 and L. rhamnosus HNOOl supplemented mice showed higher lymphocyte proliferative responses to PHA than the S. typhimurium challenged control (Fig 5). There was no significant difference in the response between mice receiving B. lactis HN019 or L. rhamnosus HNOOl and the uninfected control mice. Together these results suggest that supplementation with B. lactis HN019 or L. rhamnosus HNOOl is able to confer protection against enteric pathogens such as Salmonella typhimurium. Enhanced resistance to infection is accompanied by an increase in immune performance.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A biologically pure culture of either L. rhamnosus HNOOl AGAL deposit number NM97/09514 dated 18 August 1997 or L. rhamnosus HN067 AGAL deposit number NM97/01925 dated 11 February 1998. 2. A biologically pure culture of L. rhamnosus HNOOl AGAL deposit number NM97/09514 dated 18 August 1997. 3. A biologically pure culture of L. rhamnosus HN067 AGAL deposit number NM97/01925. 4. A composition of a biologically pure culture of any one of L. rhamnosus HNOOl as claimed in claim 2, L. rhamnosus HN067 as claimed in claim 3, B. lactis HN019 AGAL deposit number NM97/09513 dated 18 August 1997 or L. acidophilus HN017 AGAL deposit number NM97/09515 dated 18 August 1997 in an immunostimulating concentration, with a physiologically acceptable excipient or diluent. 5. A composition as claimed in claim 4 containing any two or more of said strains. 6. A composition as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein said physiologically acceptable excipient or diluent is a food. 7. A composition as claimed in claim 6 wherein said food is any one of cultured milk, yoghurt, cheese, milk drink or milk powder. 8. A composition as claimed in claim 4 or 5 which is a pharmaceutical composition and wherein said excipient or diluent is pharmacologically acceptable excipient or diluent. 9. Immunity enhancing physiologically acceptable biologically pure strains of homologues or mutants of any one of the strains: L. acidophilus HN017, L. rhamnosus HNOOl, B. lactis N019, or L. acidophilus HN067. 10. A method of enhancing natural and acquired immunity which comprises administering to a mammal a biologically pure cultures as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 and 9 at an immunostimulating dosage rate. 11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein biologically pure cultures of two or three of the above-defined strains are present. 12. A method of enhancing natural and acquired immunity which comprises administering to a mammal a composition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8. 13. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said physiologically acceptable excipient or diluent is a food. 14. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein said food is cultured milk, yoghurt, cheese, milk drink or milk powder.

Inventors: GILL HARSHARNJIT S, GOPAL PRAMOD K, SMART JOHN B, GILL, HARSHARNJIT, S., GOPAL, PRAMOD, K., SMART, JOHN, B.
Applicants: GILL HARSHARNJIT S, GOPAL PRAMOD K, NEW ZEALAND DAIRY BOARD, SMART JOHN B, GILL, HARSHARNJIT, S., GOPAL, PRAMOD, K., SMART, JOHN, B.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C12N1
IPC codes: A23C9, A23C19, A23L1, A61K35, A61K39, A61P37, C12N1, C12R1