EFFECTS OF ORALLY-ADMINISTERED CLOSTRIDIUM-BUTYRICUM MIYAIRI-588 ON MUCOSAL IMMUNITY IN MICE

The activation of local mucosal immunity by Clostridium butyricum MIYA IRI 588 (CBM588) was investigated in germ-free mice. An increase of po lyclonal IgA production in the small intestine or secretion into the i ntestinal lumen was observed in mice mono-associated with CBM588 and f ed a diet containing killed vegetative cells of CBM588 (VCBM). However , fecal IgA of anti-CBM588 was rarely formed in mice administered CBM5 88 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 Peyer's patch cell culture was i ncreased in the presence of VCBM. These results suggest that oral admi nistration of CBM588 stimulates polyclonal mucosal immune activity and shows adjuvant activity for anti-cholera toxin.