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Interferon Gamma Response in Human Saliva Following Exposure to the Oral Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12

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Abstract

Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12 is a probiotic strain developed for application to the oral cavity. The strain was originally characterised for its in vitro antibacterial activity against the prominent oral pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. More recent research has expanded its applications to include reducing halitosis, preventing otitis media and protecting against virus infections of the respiratory tract. A potential mechanism for this anti-viral activity could be the stimulation of salivary interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the ingestion of and oral cavity colonisation by S. salivarius BLIS K12 is associated with enhancement of IFN-γ levels in saliva. Application of ELISA demonstrated that consumption of S. salivarius BLIS K12 effected an increase in salivary IFN-γ, and this response was more consistent with use of viable cells than following ingestion of heat-killed S. salivarius BLIS K12. Interestingly, those subjects who more successfully colonised with S. salivarius BLIS K12 did not experience a relatively larger increase in their IFN-γ levels, indicating that the observed IFN-γ response occurs independently of colonisation efficacy. In summary, the consumption of S. salivarius BLIS K12 increases salivary levels of IFN-γ, an effect that may contribute to protection of the host against certain virus infections.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Blis Technologies, 81 Glasgow St, South Dunedin, 9012, New Zealand

    Gemma A. Laws, Liam K. Harold, John R. Tagg & John D. F. Hale

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  1. Gemma A. Laws
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  2. Liam K. Harold
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  3. John R. Tagg
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  4. John D. F. Hale
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Contributions

G.A.L. helped design the study, and ran the clinical trial and laboratory analysis. L.K.H. wrote the main manuscript text. J.R.T. contributed to the planning and assessment of results. J.D.F.H. designed the project and reviewed the results. All authors reviewed and contributed to writing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John D. F. Hale.

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Health and Disability Ethics Committee LRS/09/02/002/AM03.

Conflict of Interest

G.A.L., L.K.H., J.R.T. and J.D.F.H are/or were employees of Blis Technologies at the time of this research.

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Laws, G.A., Harold, L.K., Tagg, J.R. et al. Interferon Gamma Response in Human Saliva Following Exposure to the Oral Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12. Probiotics & Antimicro. Prot. 16, 93–98 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-022-10010-0

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