Immune modulatory effects of probioticStreptococcus thermophiluson human monocytes

ABSTRACT Ingesting probiotics contributes to the development of a healthy microflora in the gastrointestinal tract with established benefits to human health. Some of these beneficial effects may be through modulating of the immune system and probiotics have become more common in the treatment of many inflammatory and immune disorders. We demonstrate a range of immune modulating effects of Streptococcus thermophilus by human monocytes, including, decreased mRNA expression of IL-1R, IL-18, IFNγR1, IFNαR1, CCL2, CCR5, TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4, TLR-5, TLR-6, TLR-8, CD14, CD86, CD4, ITGAM, LYZ, TYK2, IFNR1, IRAK-1, NOD2, MYD88, ITGAM, SLC11A1, and, increased expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-23, IFNγ, TNFα, CSF-2. Routine administration of Streptococcus thermophilus in fermented dairy products, and their consumption may be beneficial to the treatment/management of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.