Scientists discovered a special type of bacteria called Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris C60 that appears to strengthen your body’s natural defenses. When this bacteria enters your digestive system, it activates immune cells in your gut, which then produce more of a protective protein called IgA. This protein acts like a security guard in your intestines, helping prevent harmful germs from making you sick. The research was tested in mice and human immune cells in the lab, showing promising results. If these findings hold up in human studies, this probiotic could become a new tool for keeping your immune system strong and healthy.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a specific probiotic bacteria strain could help your body make more of a protective immune protein called IgA that defends your intestines against harmful germs.
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice and human immune cells grown in dishes. No human volunteers were directly tested in this study.
  • Key finding: When mice received this special bacteria, their bodies produced significantly more IgA, and human immune cells in the lab showed the same response. The bacteria worked by activating special immune cells called dendritic cells, which then signaled B cells to make more protective IgA.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a new probiotic might help strengthen your gut’s natural defenses, but it’s still in early stages. Human clinical trials would be needed before this could become a supplement you could take. Don’t expect this to replace other healthy habits like eating well and exercising.

The Research Details

Scientists used a two-part approach to test this probiotic bacteria. First, they gave mice the bacteria (in a heat-killed form, meaning it was dead but still active) and tracked what happened to their immune system. They measured how much IgA their bodies made and examined immune cells in the intestines under microscopes. Second, they took human immune cells from blood samples and exposed them to the bacteria in laboratory dishes to see if the same thing happened in human cells. This combination of animal and lab testing helps researchers understand both how something works in a living body and whether it might work in humans.

Testing in both mice and human cells is important because it shows the bacteria might work in real human bodies, not just in lab conditions. The researchers also identified the exact pathway—the chain of events—that makes this bacteria effective, which helps explain why it works and could guide future improvements.

This study was published in Scientific Reports, a well-respected scientific journal. The researchers used multiple testing methods and confirmed their findings in different ways, which strengthens confidence in the results. However, this is still early-stage research using mice and lab cells, not actual human volunteers, so the results need to be confirmed in human clinical trials before people should consider using it as a supplement.

What the Results Show

The bacteria successfully increased IgA production in both mice and human immune cells. When mice received the bacteria, their bodies made significantly more IgA compared to mice that didn’t receive it. The researchers found that the bacteria activated special immune cells called dendritic cells, which then sent chemical signals to B cells (another type of immune cell) telling them to make more IgA. Two specific chemical messengers called IL-6 and IL-10 were identified as the key signals that made this process work. In human immune cells tested in the lab, the same pattern appeared—the bacteria triggered the same chain of events that led to more IgA production.

The bacteria also caused dendritic cells to produce both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory chemicals. Pro-inflammatory chemicals help fight infections, while anti-inflammatory chemicals calm down the immune response. This balance is important because it suggests the bacteria helps the immune system respond appropriately without overreacting. The researchers also found that the bacteria specifically expanded and activated B cells in a part of the small intestine called Peyer’s patches, which is a major immune hub in the digestive system.

While other probiotic bacteria have been studied for immune benefits, only a limited number have been shown to increase IgA production specifically. This bacteria strain appears to be a new addition to that small group. The mechanism discovered here—working through dendritic cells and specific chemical signals—provides new insight into how probiotics can boost immunity, which adds to our understanding of probiotic science.

This study only tested the bacteria in mice and human cells in laboratory dishes, not in actual human volunteers. The sample size for human cell testing wasn’t specified in the paper. The bacteria was heat-killed (dead) in most tests, so it’s unclear if living bacteria would work the same way. The long-term effects of taking this bacteria haven’t been studied, and we don’t know if the IgA boost would last over weeks or months. Additionally, we don’t know if this would work equally well in people with different ages, health conditions, or genetic backgrounds.

The Bottom Line

This research is too early-stage to recommend as a supplement for general use. The findings are promising and suggest potential benefits, but human clinical trials are needed first. If you’re interested in supporting your immune system, current evidence-based approaches include eating a varied diet rich in fiber, staying physically active, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress. (Confidence level: Low for this specific bacteria; High for general immune-supporting habits)

This research is most relevant to probiotic researchers, supplement companies developing new products, and people interested in cutting-edge immune health science. People with compromised immune systems or those taking immunosuppressive medications should wait for more research and consult their doctor before considering any new probiotic. Healthy adults with normal immune function don’t need to change their current practices based on this single study.

If this bacteria eventually becomes available as a supplement after human trials, you wouldn’t expect immediate results. Immune system changes typically take weeks to months to develop. Any benefits would likely be gradual and subtle rather than dramatic.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Once this probiotic becomes available and human studies confirm benefits, users could track ‘probiotic intake’ (daily yes/no) and correlate it with ‘illness frequency’ (number of colds, flu, or infections per month) over 3-month periods to see if there’s a personal pattern.
  • In the future, if this probiotic becomes available, users could set a daily reminder to take it at the same time each day, similar to a vitamin routine. The app could track consistency and send motivational reminders about maintaining the habit.
  • A long-term tracking approach would involve monitoring general wellness metrics like energy levels, digestive health, and frequency of getting sick over 6-12 month periods. Users could rate these weekly and look for trends. This would help determine if the probiotic provides noticeable personal benefits beyond what the lab studies showed.

This research is preliminary and has not been tested in human clinical trials. The findings are based on mouse studies and laboratory cell cultures, which don’t always translate directly to human health benefits. Do not use this as medical advice or a reason to start taking supplements without consulting your healthcare provider. If you have a compromised immune system, are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications, speak with your doctor before considering any new probiotic products. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical guidance.