Long-term administration of pDC-Stimulative Lactococcus lactis strain decelerates senescence and prolongs the lifespan of mice

• Published in: International immunopharmacology 2018-05, Vol.58, p.166-172
• Main Authors: Sugimura, Tetsu, Jounai, Kenta, Ohshio, Konomi, Suzuki, Hiroaki, Kirisako, Takayoshi, Sugihara, Yoshihiko, Fujiwara, Daisuke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Bacteria; Deceleration; Dendritic cells; Health risks; IL-1β; Immune response; Immune system; Infectious diseases; Lactic acid; Lactic acid bacteria; Lactococcus lactis; Life span; Liver; Lungs; Mice; Muscles; Oral administration; Plasmacytoid dendritic cells; Rodents; Senescence; Skin; Transcription
• ISSN: 1567-5769; 1878-1705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.03.024

The decline in immune function caused by aging increases the risk of infectious diseases, tumorigeneses and chronic inflammation, resulting in accelerating senescence. We previously reported a lactic acid bacteria, Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (synonym of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM 5805, Lc-Plasma), that stimulates plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), which play a crucial role in phylaxis from viral infection. In this study, we investigated the anti-aging effects of long-term oral administration of Lc-Plasma in a senescence-accelerated mouse strain, SAMP6. Mice given Lc-Plasma showed a significant improvement in survival rate at 82 weeks and a decreased senescence score as compared with control mice throughout this study. Anatomic analysis at 82 weeks revealed that the frequency of altered hepatocellular foci was significantly lower, and the incidence of other pathological findings in the liver and lungs tended to be lower in Lc-Plasma mice than in control mice. Transcription level of the IL-1β gene in lungs also tended to be lower in Lc-Plasma mice. Furthermore, the thinning of skin and age-related decrease in muscle mass were also significantly suppressed in the Lc-Plasma group as compared with the control group. Consistent with these phenotypic features, pDCs activity was significantly higher in Lc-Plasma mice than in control mice. In conclusion, long-term administration of Lc-Plasma can decelerate senescence and prolong lifespan via maintenance of the immune system due to activation of pDCs. •SAMP6 mice given Lc. Plasma showed a significant improvement in survival rate.•The senescence score was significantly improved in Lc. Plasma mice.•Long-term administration of Lc. Plasma activates pDCs and mDCs in aged mice.•The transcription level of IL-1β and pathogenesis were suppressed in Lc. Plasma mice.•Senescence of skin and muscle was significantly suppressed in Lc. Plasma mice.