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Leuconostoc citreum HJ‐P4 (KACC 91035) regulates immunoglobulin E in an ovalbumin‐induced allergy model and induces interleukin‐12 through nuclear factor‐kappa B and p38/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases signaling in macrophages

Leuconostoc citreum (L. citreum) HJ‐P4 (KACC 91035) is one of the major predominant species in kimchi fermentation in Korea. The purpose of the present study was to test the immunomodulatory capacity of L. citreum to modulate the IgE‐mediated allergic response and to examine the involvement of NF‐κB and MAPK in IL‐12 production in macrophages. Balb/c mice were sensitized with OVA/alum and oral administration of L. citreum to the mice began before or after the OVA sensitization. Protein and mRNA expression of Th1 cytokines in splenocytes by L. citreum in vitro was measured. The role of NF‐κB and MAPK such as p38, ERK1/2 and JNK in L. citreum‐induced IL‐12 was investigated in peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cell lines. L. citreum inhibited the serum levels of total IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a altogether and increased OVA‐specific IFN‐γ production in splenocytes from pre‐ and post‐sensitized animals. However, the downregulation of IL‐4 and IL‐5 production was observed only in the pre‐sensitization group. The ability of L. citreum to stimulate IFN‐γ was dependent on its induction of IL‐12. NF‐κB, p38 and JNK were mainly involved in L. citreum‐induced IL‐12 production. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that L. citreum is able to regulate serum IgE generation at the induction and effector phases of allergic response through overall control over antibody production and that its involvement of IL‐12 production was mediated through NF‐κB and p38/JNK. Taken together, the use of L. citreum can be useful in preventing the development and progression of IgE production.