Immunomodulatory composition comprising bifidobacteria
The present invention relates to composition derivable from a bifidobacteria, methods and uses thereof, for use in modulating the immune system in a subject by affecting viral action and/or viral effects in said subject. Furthermore, said composition may also be used in reducing the risk of development and exacerbation of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD in a subject; preferably by modulating the immune system in the subject by affecting viral action and/or viral effects in said subject.
1. A method for reducing replication of a virus and/or inflammation caused by a virus infection in a subject in need thereof, wherein:
the method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BL-04 or a fermentation product or cell lysate thereof, and the virus comprises a rhinovirus or an influenza virus.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein inflammation caused by the virus infection is reduced in the subject.
3. A method for reducing a level of one or more cytokines and/or chemokines caused by a virus infection in a subject in need thereof, wherein:
the method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BL-04 or a fermentation product or cell lysate thereof, and the virus comprises a rhinovirus or an influenza virus.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the method comprises modulation of the subject's innate immune system, adaptive immune system or both.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein T-helper cells specific to the virus are increased in the subject.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated as a medicament, a food product or a dietary supplement.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said composition also comprises at least one further probiotic microorganism.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said composition also comprises one or more of an anti-microbial agent, a stabilising agent, a dye and a drying agent.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein; the subject is at risk of developing a chronic respiratory disease, and the method reduces the risk.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the virus comprises a human rhinovirus.
11. The method according to claim 3 , wherein IL-8, IL-1beta and/or MCP-1 is/are reduced in the subject.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises an effective amount of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-04.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the subject is a human.
14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein IL-8 is reduced in the subject.
15. The method according to claim 12 , wherein virus replication is reduced in the subject.
16. The method according to claim 12 , wherein virus shedding is reduced in the subject.
17. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the virus comprises an influenza virus.
18. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the composition comprises an effective amount of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-04.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein a cytokine level is reduced in the subject.
20. The method according to claim 18 , wherein IL-8 is reduced in the subject.
21. The method according to claim 18 , wherein virus shedding is reduced in the subject.
22. A method for reducing virus shedding or an IL8 level in a virus-infected subject in need thereof, wherein: the method comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an effective amount of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BL-04 or a fermentation product or cell lysate thereof, and the virus comprises a rhinovirus or an influenza virus.
23. The method according to claim 22 , wherein the composition comprises an effective amount of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-04.
24. The method according to claim 23 , wherein IL-8 is reduced in the subject.
25. The method according to claim 23 , wherein virus shedding is reduced in the subject.
26. The method according to claim 23 , wherein;
the subject is at risk of developing a chronic respiratory disease, and
the method reduces the risk.