Article

유산균 유전학 및 최근 연구 혁신: 프로바이오틱스와 면역

윤성식*, 박영서1, 최학종2
Sung-Sik Yoon*, Young-Seo Park1, Hak-Jong Choi2
Author Information & Copyright
1가천대학교 식품생물공학과
2세계김치연구소
연세대학교 생명과학기술학부
1Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Gachon University, Seongnam 461-701, Korea
2World Institute of Kimchi, Gwangju 503-360, Korea
Division of Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju 220-710, Korea
*Corresponding author: Sung-Sik Yoon, Division of Biological Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju 220-710, Korea Tel: 82-33-760-2251, Fax: 82-33-760-5576, E-mail: sungsik@yonsei.ac.kr

Copyright © Korean Society for Lactic Acid Bacteria. All rights reserved. This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Published Online: Jun 30, 2019

Abstract

As for probiotics, that is generally defined as a live cell supplement which is able to bring health benefits to their hosts, even though the concept is still remains in controversy. Scientific works has given positive answers to the questions about if many LAB strains function as probiotic bacteria in human and animals. Currently, the interactions between human and LAB are actively investigated in human intestine. From a biodiversity perspective, this particular subject in human intestine is also extensively explored by a number of researchers worldwide. So far, it has been found that new strains and new genes were discovered in gut microbiota which is reported unique in individual. Complete analysis on gut microbiota is necessary in order to understand the possible beneficial roles of LAB in human intestinal track. When it comes to qualification, a probiotic strain is proved to be safe to consume and healthful to human after it is orally administered. On the other hand, LAB is present as a member of gut microbiota, plays an important role in innate immunity and acquired immunity. Their immune-modulation activity is occurred not only in intestine but also systemic in human body. It is generally accepted that immune function by LAB is not genus-specific but strain-specific. More recently, new mechanism accounting for interactions between host and LAB has been understood after a soluble factor from LAB was found to be directly associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on intestinal epithelial cells. The soluble factor could be applied in the development of therapeutic agents. In conclusion, future research focus should be placed on the studies on the new LAB factors affecting human immune responses and its desirable effects because many different kinds of fermented foods representing kimchi have survived for a long time and those are popularly consumed in this country.

Keywords: lactic acid bacteria; landmark research; probiotics; gut-microbiota; immunomodulation activity