RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Moon, Phil-Dong A1 Lee, Jin Soo A1 Kim, Hee-Yun A1 Han, Na-Ra A1 Kang, Inyeong A1 Kim, Hyung-Min A1 Jeong, Hyun-JaYR 2019 T1 Heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum increases the immune responses through activation of natural killer cells and macrophages on in vivo and in vitro models JF Journal of Medical Microbiology, VO 68 IS 3 SP 467 OP 474 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.000938 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1473-5644, AB Purpose. Recently, Lactobacillus plantarum (nF1) has been reported to have immune-enhancing effects in an immunosuppressed-animal model. Natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages play important roles in the immune responses. However, immunomodulatory effects of heat-treated Lactobacillus plantarum -nF1 (hLp-nF1) on the activation of NK cells and macrophages have not been elucidated. Methodology. We assessed whether hLp-nF1 could elevate the activation of NK cells and macrophages using cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced immunosuppressed BALB/c mice and RAW 264.7 macrophages. A nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis and NK cell activity assay were used to examine the effects of hLp-nF1 on the immune enhancement. Results/Key findings. Administration of hLp-nF1-elevated NK cell activities and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-12 in CP-induced immunosuppressed mice. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, treatment with hLp-nF1 increased the production of NO and expression of inducible NO synthase. Simultaneously, hLp-nF1 increased the production of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6 from RAW 264.7 cells. Finally, hLp-nF1 induced activation of nuclear factor-κB and phosphorylation of IκBα. Conclusion . We identified that hLp-nF1 has an immune-enhancing effect through the activation of NK cells and macrophages. Therefore, these findings suggest that hLp-nF1 would be helpful to enhance the immunity., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.000938