Oral Administration of Strongly Suppresses Th2 Immune Responses in Mice.

The bacterium (FP), which is found in human feces, has been reported to participate in catechin metabolism in the gut, but this bacterium's effects on immune function are unclear. We assessed the effect of oral administration of FP on the immune response in ovalbumin (OVA) -sensitized mice. We demonstrated that the FP treatment suppressed interleukin (IL)-4 in splenocytes and OVA-specific IgE production in serum from OVA-sensitized mice. Moreover, oral administration of FP augmented CD4CD25 T cells and CD103CD11c DCs. In animals of the FP group, the proportion of FP was increased in the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), as was the proportion of Deferribacteres in the cecum. Oral administration of FP may inhibit the Th2 immune response by incorporation into the MLNs and/or by inducing changes in the gut microbiota. Thus, FP may be useful in alleviating antigen-induced Th2 immune responses.