Immunomodulation By Bacteria And Their Products

It is almost axiomatic that an explosive increase in knowledge and interest concerning host immune defense mechanisms and the immune response system in general is occurring. Many new developments are evident at the interphase between the areas of immunology, infectious diseases, and host defenses to microorganisms. It is now widely rec ognized that a functioning host immune defense system consists of a variety of lymphoid cells. These include effector and affector cells consisting of both Band T cells and their progeny. Mononuclear phago cytes which are widely distributed throughout the body are also intimately involved in these processes. These cells are involved not only in the clearance of particulate matter including bacteria, viruses and fungi, but also presumably in host defense against neo plasia. Among the many triumphs of the biological revolution over the past decade or so is the rapidly developing understanding of how these cells and their products, including antibody, lymphokines, monokines, etc. , function and interact. It is now recognized that although the immune defense system is involved in defense against infectious agents, it is also now be coming quite clear that many infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as their products, can interact with the immune response system. For example, it has been long recognized that many of the "adjuvants" which enhance the immune responses in nonspecific ways are derived from microorganisms. Microbial products have marked effects on the immume response system.

The way in which probiotics work is still not clearly defined, but it is becoming more and more apparent that immune stimulation is an important feature in some of the observed effects. In the previous two books in this series the scientific basis and the practical applications were considered. It seemed that the immunogenic potential of probiotics merited a book of its own with experts from all over the world covering the general effect of the gut microflora on immunity as well as the particular response that pro biotic microorganisms generate. The importance of immune stimulation by probiotic organisms cannot be overemphasised. It opens up the technique for use, not only as a treatment for intestinal diseases, but also as a treatment that could be effective against infections outside the gastrointestinal tract. This book considers how the body reacts to the presence of orally administered microorganisms (normally lactic acid bacteria). The responses may be in the form of antibodies (lgA, IgG, IgM), cytokines, killer cells or macrophage activity. Do these responses result in antagonism of the stimulating bacteria, do they affect the composition of the indigenous gut microflora and are they sufficienty strong to kill bacterial pathogens or tumour cells? Where we have answers these will be reported and discussed; where there are no answers there will be speculation and prediction.

The term “immunobiotics” has been proposed to define microbial strains able to beneficially regulate the mucosal immune system. Research in immunobiotics has significantly evolved as researchers employed cutting-edge technologies to investigate the complex interactions of these beneficial microorganisms with the immune system. During the last decade, our understanding of immunobiotics-host interaction was profoundly transformed by the discovery of microbial molecules and host receptors involved in the modulation of gut associated immune system, as well as the systemic and distant mucosal immune systems. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of reports describing the beneficial effects of immunobiotics in diseases such as intestinal and respiratory infections, allergy, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, immunosuppression, and several other immune-mediated conditions. Evidence is also emerging of immunobiotics related molecules with immunomodulatory functions leading to the production of pharmabiotics, which may positively influence human or animal health. Therefore, research in immunobiotics continue to contribute not only to food but also medical and pharmaceutical fields. The compilation of research articles included in this ebook should help reader to have an overview of the recent advances in immunobiotics.

This book is a continuation of the efforts of InTech to expand the scientific know-how in the field of immunopathology and bring valuable updated information to medical professionals and researchers. It consists of chapters related to various approaches to investigate the unique role of the immune system in response to different clinical disorders. The international team of authors is the bonus of the book, reflecting the rapid development of immunology and new achievements in medical science. We firmly hope that the book will be an excellent manual and guideline for people dealing with biology, microbiology, immunology, virology, pharmacology, general and dental medicine, and health care, from students and postdocs to high-level specialists and university professors.

In Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics: Technological Advancements Towards Safety and Industrial Applications, a team of distinguished researchers delivers an insightful exploration of various aspects of functional foods. The book includes information about critical facets of the production of these beneficial compounds, recent technological developments in the field, and their present and future commercial potential. The authors describe their mechanisms of action and their applications in several sectors. Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics is divided into five parts. A general introduction about these substances begins the book and is followed by discussions of common probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. Finally, a treatment of safety issues and regulatory claims, as well as their market potential, rounds out the resource. Perfect for researchers, industry practitioners, and students working in or studying food processing and food microbiology, Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics is also an invaluable resource for professionals working in the field of food biotechnology.

Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics: Bioactive Foods in Health Promotion reviews and presents new hypotheses and conclusions on the effects of different bioactive components of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics to prevent disease and improve the health of various populations. Experts define and support the actions of bacteria; bacteria modified bioflavonoids and prebiotic fibrous materials and vegetable compounds. A major emphasis is placed on the health-promoting activities and bioactive components of probiotic bacteria. Offers a novel focus on synbiotics, carefully designed prebiotics probiotics combinations to help design functional food and nutraceutical products Discusses how prebiotics and probiotics are complementary and can be incorporated into food products and used as alternative medicines Defines the variety of applications of probiotics in health and disease resistance and provides key insights into how gut flora are modified by specific food materials Includes valuable information on how prebiotics are important sources of micro-and macronutrients that modify body functions

On May 14-16, 1982, a group of scientists met in Viareggio, Italy to present ideas, and exchange relevant data on current approaches on immunomodulators. We felt that the embodiment of the substance of that international symposium into this volume will be beneficial in keeping both clinicians and basic scientists abreast of the latest exciting developments in this rapidly accelerating field. We hope that the publication of this series of papers by an international panel of experts will enhance the nature of future inves t igat ive stud ies with such ent it ies . Under the rubric of immunology, it is obvious that such a term as "immunomodulation" could be construed as being all encompassing. However, it is intriguing that the immune modulators touched on in these sessions can be subcategorized into about five broad groups. Almost all substances, excepting those entities that are immuno logically inert, will have some modulating effects on immunity. From the coarse adjustment of antibody feedback inhibition upon cellular limnunity to the subtle finesse envisioned in Jerne's idiotypic network and s'lppressor T cells, immunomodulators attempt to either magnify or diminish those responses that are normally elicited by antigen. The broad groups - thymic hormones, D.L.E., Interferon, drugs, and the use of bacterial products appear to be at the forefront of much of the pioneering work on immunomodulation.