Comparative Immunomodulatory Profiles of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HOM2120 and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum HOM1190: Insights from Genomics, In Vitro , and In Vivo Studies
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Bifidobacterium species are widely used as probiotics; yet their strain-specific immunomodulatory mechanisms remain incompletely defined.In this study, we characterized the probiotic properties and immunomodulatory activities of two genetically distinct strains, B. lactis HOM2120, isolated from human milk, and B. longum HOM1190, isolated from infant feces.Genomic analyses revealed strain-specific features associated with environmental resilience and probiotic functionalities, including acid and bile tolerance, pathogen inhibition, and adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells, which were confirmed by in vitro assays.In RAW264.7 macrophages, HOM2120 preferentially enhanced phagocytosis and TNF-α production, whereas HOM1190 induced higher IL-6 secretion, reflecting distinct strain-specific immunomodulatory patterns.Transcriptomic profiling and qRT-PCR validation revealed distinct molecular signatures underlying these effects.HOM2120 preferentially activated NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways and induced higher Tnf expression, suggesting a bias toward cell-mediated immune responses.In contrast, HOM1190 more strongly modulated the PI3K-Akt signaling axis and upregulated Il6 and Cd80 expression, supporting enhanced antigen presentation and humoral immuneassociated responses.These strain-specific immunological tendencies were further validated in mice.HOM2120 predominantly enhanced delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, indicative of cellular immunity, whereas HOM1190 more effectively increased hemolytic activity and antibody-producing cell numbers, reflecting preferential activation of humoral immunity.Collectively, these results suggest that HOM2120 and HOM1190 are functionally distinct yet synergistic probiotic candidates, supporting their potential application as functional food ingredients or therapeutic adjuncts to modulate host immunity.
Authors: Tingting Wang, Xiao Zhang, Ying Zhao, Linlin Fan, Zhonghua Cao, Suwon Lee, Chongyoon Lim, Shiqi Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7140106663
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