Effects of orally administered Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 on mucosal immunity in mice

The activation of local mucosal immunity by Clostridium butyricum MIYAIRI 588 (CBM588) was investigated in germ-free mice. An increase of polyclonal IgA production in the small intestine or secretion into the intestinal lumen was observed in mice mono-associated with CBM588 and fed a diet containing killed vegetative cells of CBM588 (VCBM). However, fecal IgA of anti-CBM588 was rarely formed in mice administered CBM588 during 6 weeks from administration. Cholera toxin was administered orally to SPF mice fed a diet containing CBM588, and IgA secretion of anti-cholera toxin was enhanced in mice fed a VCBM diet. In addition, the production of IgA, IgM and IgG in Peyerʹs patch cell culture was increased in the presence of VCBM. These results suggest that oral administration of CBM588 stimulates polyclonal mucosal immune activity and shows adjuvant activity for anti-cholera toxin.