Information processing device, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and a computer program for determining an individual's immune response to probiotics. [Solution] In an information provision system in which a terminal device and an information provision device are connected to communicate via a network, and a judgment model generation device and an information provision device are connected to communicate via a network, the judgment model generation device 20, which is an information processing device, includes a control unit 23 that acquires immune information of a target person based on intestinal bacteria information, which is information about the intestinal bacteria of the target person, and an immune judgment model in which the intestinal bacteria information is an explanatory variable and immune information indicating the immune response of the target person to probiotics is an objective variable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, probiotics have attracted attention. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for providing an immunostimulating composition using lactic acid bacteria. Thus, an immunostimulating effect by probiotics that contributes to elimination of pathogens and the like is expected. On the other hand, since there is a risk of causing an inflammatory state if the effect becomes excessive, it is also important to be tolerant to probiotics. As described above, there are immunostimulation and tolerance in the immune responsiveness to probiotics, and it has been found that the immune responsiveness to probiotics varies greatly among individuals. Therefore, it is important to accurately grasp the immune responsiveness of each individual to probiotics. [[ID=!3]]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the factors for the difference in the immune responsiveness to probiotics among individuals have not been clearly identified. Therefore, it has been difficult to obtain information indicating the immune responsiveness (for example, stimulation or tolerance) to probiotics for each individual.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a technique that enables knowing the immune responsiveness of an individual to probiotics.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising a control unit that acquires immune information of a target person based on intestinal bacterial information, which is information relating to the intestinal bacteria of the target person, and an immune determination model in which the intestinal bacterial information is used as an explanatory variable and immune information indicating the immune response of the target person to probiotics is used as an objective variable.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned information processing device, wherein the control unit acquires the immune information based on the information relating to Bifidobacteria among the information indicated by the intestinal bacteria information.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned information processing device, wherein the control unit acquires the immune information based on information regarding the amount of Bifidobacterium present in the intestines.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing method comprising the step of obtaining immune information of a target person based on intestinal bacterial information, which is information relating to the intestinal bacteria of the target person, and an immune determination model in which the intestinal bacterial information is used as an explanatory variable and immune information indicating the immune response of the target person to probiotics is used as an objective variable.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device, which includes a control unit that acquires immune information of a target person based on intestinal bacterial information, which is information relating to the intestinal bacteria of the target person, and an immune determination model in which immune information indicating the immune response of the target person to probiotics is used as an explanatory variable and the intestinal bacterial information is used as an objective variable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] This invention makes it possible to determine an individual's immune response to probiotics. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1]This is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the information provision system 100 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of terminal device 10. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the judgment model generation device 20. [Figure 4] This figure shows a specific example of the integrated value of cytokine production. [Figure 5] This figure shows a specific example of the integrated value of cytokine production. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the probiotic bacteria used in the experiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows the correlation coefficients calculated between the production levels of 10 types of cytokines and gut bacteria for multiple types of probiotics. [Figure 8] This figure shows the correlation coefficients calculated between the production levels of 10 types of cytokines and gut bacteria for multiple types of probiotics. [Figure 9] This figure shows the correlation coefficients calculated between the production levels of 10 types of cytokines and gut bacteria for multiple types of probiotics. [Figure 10] This graph shows the relationship between the amount of cytokines produced when stimulated with Bifidobacterium 388775 and the amount (proportion) of Bifidobacterium 388775 present. [Figure 11] This graph shows the relationship between the amount of cytokines produced when stimulated with bacterial cells (MCC1274) and the amount (proportion) of Bifidobacterium 388775 present. [Figure 12] This graph shows the relationship between the amount of cytokines produced when stimulated with bacterial cells (MCC1849) and the amount (proportion) of Bifidobacterium 388775 present. [Figure 13] This is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the information providing device 30. [Figure 14] This figure shows a schematic example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 90 applied to this embodiment.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] In the following description, "probiotics" generally refers to live microorganisms that bring beneficial effects to humans by improving the balance of the intestinal flora. As the main probiotics, bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium (so-called bifidobacteria) and lactic acid bacteria are known.

[0014] The bacteria belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium are not particularly limited, but include Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis (reclassified as Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis), Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium catenulatum, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum.

[0015] More specifically, as Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium longum BB536 can be mentioned. Bifidobacterium longum BB536 was deposited internationally based on the Budapest Treaty with the Patent Microorganisms Depositary, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NPMD) (Room 122, 2-5-8 Kazusa Kamashima, Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture 292-0818), under the accession number NITE BP-02621 on January 26, 2018.

[0016] More specifically, as Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 can also be mentioned. Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 was deposited internationally based on the Budapest Treaty with the Patent Microorganisms Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (currently the Patent Microorganisms Depositary, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (IPOD)) (Room 120, 2-5-8 Kazusa Kamashima, Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture 292-0818) under the accession number FERM BP-11175 on August 25, 2009.

[0017] Among these Bifidobacterium bacteria, Bifidobacterium longum or Bifidobacterium breve is more preferable, and among them, Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (accession number: NITE BP-02621) or Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 (accession number: FERM BP-11175) is particularly preferable.

[0018] The lactic acid bacteria are not particularly limited, but Lactobacillus paracasei is preferably used. More specifically, Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 (NITE BP-01633) is a relevant example. Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 (NITE BP-01633) was deposited on June 6, 2013, at the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation Biotechnology Center Patent Microorganism Depository Center (NPMD) (Room 122, 2-5-8 Kazusa Kamatari, Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture 292-0818, Japan) with the accession number NITE BP-01633. On January 31, 2014, it was transferred to international deposit under the Budapest Convention and was assigned the same accession number NITE BP-01633. Among the Lactobacillus paracasei species, Lactobacillus paracasei MCC1849 (accession number: NITE BP-01633) is particularly preferred.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the system configuration of the information provision system 100 of the present invention. First, the outline of the information provision system 100 will be explained. The information provision system 100 determines information indicating an individual's immune response to probiotics (hereinafter referred to as "immune information") and provides the immune information to the person being determined (hereinafter referred to as "target person") and to the person who will take action based on the immune information for the target person (hereinafter referred to as "responder"). In the following explanation, the target person and the responder will be collectively referred to as the user.

[0020] The information provision system 100 accepts input of information regarding bacteria (intestinal bacteria) residing in the intestines of a subject person (hereinafter referred to as "intestinal bacteria information"). Intestinal bacteria information includes, for example, information on specific bacteria among the subject person's intestinal bacteria that have a high correlation with cytokine production levels. A concrete example of such bacteria is Bifidobacterium. A more specific example is Bifidobacterium_388775. The subject person's intestinal bacteria information may be obtained by any means. For example, by collecting the subject person's excrement (e.g., feces) and analyzing it. Intestinal bacterial information may be obtained by analysis.

[0021] The information provision system 100 generates immune information indicating the immune response to probiotics for a target individual who possesses such intestinal bacteria, based on the input intestinal bacteria information.

[0022] The information provision system 100 provides immune information to the user. If the user is a target person, the target person can learn about their own immune response (immune information) to probiotics. If the user is a caregiver, the caregiver can provide information to the target person, or provide consultation and advice regarding diet, based on the obtained immune information.

[0023] One specific example of such a responder is someone who receives excrement from the subject to obtain information on their gut bacteria, and then provides the subject with immune information itself and advice based on that immune information. Specifically, this is done as follows: The responder receives excrement from the subject, either in person or by mail, and obtains the subject's gut information by analyzing the excrement using an analytical device. The responder then obtains the subject's immune information by inputting the obtained gut information into the information provision system 100. The responder then provides the subject with the immune information itself and advice based on that immune information via mail or network. The above-described form of responder is merely one example and is not limited to this form.

[0024] The following describes a specific example of the information provision system 100. First, we will describe an information provision system 100 in which the device that the user operates when inputting gut bacteria information and the device that generates immune information based on the gut bacteria information each have different configurations.

[0025] The information provision system 100 includes a terminal device 10, a judgment model generation device 20, and an information provision device 30. The terminal device 10 and the information provision device 30 are connected to each other via a network 70. The judgment model generation device 20 and the information provision device 30 may also be connected to each other via the network 70. The network 70 may be a wireless communication network or a wired communication network. The network 70 may be configured using, for example, the Internet or a local area network (LAN). The network 70 may be configured by combining multiple networks.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 is configured using information devices such as a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, or dedicated device. The terminal device 10 is operated by a user. The terminal device 10 comprises a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0027] The communication unit 11 is a communication device. The communication unit 11 may be configured, for example, as a network interface. The communication unit 11 communicates data with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 15. The communication unit 11 may be a wireless communication device or a wired communication device.

[0028] The input unit 12 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), buttons, or touch panel. The input unit 12 is operated by the user when inputting user instructions to the terminal device 10. The input unit 12 is used, for example, when a user inputs intestinal bacteria information of a target person. The input unit 12 may also be an interface for connecting an input device to the terminal device 10. In this case, the input unit 12 inputs an input signal generated in the input device in response to user input to the terminal device 10. The input unit 12 may also be configured using a microphone and a speech recognition device. In this case, the input unit 12 acquires an acoustic signal generated by the user's speech, performs speech recognition on the words spoken by the user, and inputs the recognized string information to the terminal device 10. The speech recognition process may be performed by the control unit 15. The input unit 12 can be configured in any way that allows user instructions to be input to the terminal device 10.

[0029] The output unit 13 outputs information in a format that the user can recognize. For example, the output unit 13 outputs immune information provided by the information providing device 30 to the user. The output unit 13 may be an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The output unit 13 may also be an interface for connecting an image display device to the terminal device 10. In this case, the output unit 13 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to it. The output unit 13 may also be a device that outputs sound, such as a speaker. The output unit 13 may also be an interface for connecting an audio output device such as a speaker or headphones to the terminal device 10. In this case, the output unit 13 generates an audio signal for playing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to it. The output unit 13 may also be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 12.

[0030] The storage unit 14 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 14 stores data used by the control unit 15. The storage unit 14 stores data necessary when the control unit 15 performs processing.

[0031] The control unit 15 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory (main memory). The control unit 15 functions when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 15 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor memory devices (e.g., SSDs: Solid State Drives), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor memory devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0032] The control unit 15 may, for example, execute an application installed on its own device (terminal device 10). A specific example of such an application is an application provided to the terminal device 10 as a dedicated application for the information provision system 100. Another specific example of such an application is a web browser application. Such an application may be pre-installed on the terminal device 10, or it may be downloaded each time the user performs a process to receive information. For example, if it is implemented as a web browser application, the terminal device 10 may download and execute the application from a device specified by the web server (for example, the web server itself or another server) when the terminal device 10 connects to a specific web server. The control unit 15 operates according to the program of the application being executed.

[0033] The control unit 15 controls the terminal device 10 in response to user operations and information received from the information providing device 30. For example, the control unit 15 transmits intestinal bacteria information entered by the user through the operation of the input unit 12 to the information providing device 30 using the communication unit 11. For example, when the control unit 15 receives immune information transmitted from the information providing device 30 via the network 70 to the communication unit 11, it generates screen data based on the received immune information and displays the screen data on the output unit 13. Such screen data includes images and characters representing the immune information transmitted from the information providing device 30. For example, when the control unit 15 receives immune information transmitted from the information providing device 30 via the network 70 to the communication unit 11, it generates audio data based on the received immune information and outputs the audio data from the output unit 13.

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the judgment model generation device 20. The judgment model generation device 20 is configured using information processing equipment such as a personal computer or a server device. The judgment model generation device 20 generates an immune judgment model by performing a model generation process based on experimental data obtained in advance from multiple subjects (for example, a combination of gut microbiota information and immune information). The immune judgment model is a judgment model in which gut microbiota information is the explanatory variable and immune information is the objective variable. Next, the details of the judgment model generation device 20 will be described. The judgment model generation device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0035] The communication unit 21 is a communication device. The communication unit 21 may be configured, for example, as a network interface. The communication unit 21 communicates data with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 23. The communication unit 21 may be a wireless communication device or a wired communication device.

[0036] The storage unit 22 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 22 stores data used by the control unit 23. The storage unit 22 may function, for example, as an experimental data storage unit 221 and an immunoassay model storage unit 222.

[0037] The experimental data storage unit 221 stores experimental data used in the judgment model generation process performed in the judgment model generation device 20. The experimental data stored in the experimental data storage unit 221 includes the subject's intestinal bacteria information and the immune information obtained from the subject.

[0038] Intestinal bacterial information is information about the gut microbiota. This information may include, for example, information indicating the species of intestinal bacteria. It may also include information indicating the quantity of each species.

[0039] In this specification, immune responsiveness includes "immunostimulation" and "immune tolerance." In this specification, "immunostimulation" refers to an effect that enhances the immune response, specifically including an improvement effect from a state of reduced immune response, and an enhancement effect that further enhances an immune response from a normal or good state. Furthermore, effects that enhance the immune response may include effects that protect against viral infection and suppress viral proliferation (collectively referred to as antiviral effects) caused by immuneostimulation, as well as effects that treat or prevent infectious diseases or improve or alleviate the symptoms of such diseases. Here, "prevention" refers to the prevention or delay of the occurrence of a disease or symptom in the target area, or a reduction in the risk of the disease or symptom in the target area. Infectious diseases include diseases caused by influenza virus, norovirus, RSV, etc., and COVID-19, etc. In this specification, "immune tolerance" includes an effect that suppresses inflammation (anti-inflammatory effect) so that the immune response does not become excessive.

[0040] Immune information may be defined, for example, as a value indicating the degree of responsiveness to probiotics. A more specific example of such a value is a value indicating immune function activity obtained based on a specific probiotic and blood collected from the subject. A more specific example of a value indicating immune function activity is a value indicating the amount of cytokine production. A value indicating the amount of cytokine production may be defined, for example, as the amount of a specific cytokine (e.g., IL-10) produced, or as a value (hereinafter referred to as the "integrated value") that uses the ranking of the production levels of a given set of cytokines among multiple individuals, including the subject.

[0041] In this specification, immune function includes innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Improved immune function specifically includes activation and appropriate suppression of immune cells (including macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, T cells, B cells, and NK cells), control of immune cell differentiation, control of cytokine production (including promotion and suppression of production), suppression of viral infections, suppression of bacterial infections, suppression of fungal infections, elimination of parasites, and promotion of antibody production. Cytokines include inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

[0042] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate specific examples of the combined value of cytokine production. Figure 4 shows the amounts of two types of cytokines obtained from the blood of four subjects. Figure 5 shows the ranking of cytokine production for each of the four subjects based on the amounts shown in Figure 4. For example, subject 1 produced the most cytokine 1 (ranked 1st) and also the most cytokine 2 (ranked 1st). The combined value represents the sum of the rankings of a predetermined number of cytokines (two cytokines in this example). For example, the combined value for subject 1 is 1 + 1 = 2. Combined values ​​can be obtained similarly for the other subjects. The smaller the combined value obtained in this way, the more cytokine production is indicated, and the larger the value, the less cytokine production is indicated. In the examples of Figures 4 and 5, the combined value is obtained based on the production amounts of two types of cytokines, but the combined value may also be obtained based on the production amounts of more types of cytokines. For example, an integrated value may be obtained based on the ranking of the production levels of 10 types of cytokines: CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL7, IL-1ra, IL-10, IL-1β, TNFα, IL-6, and IL-8.

[0043] Such experimental data may be obtained through experiments like the following. Below, we will describe specific examples of experiments for obtaining immune information and gut microbiota information from subjects.

[0044] Blood was collected from 60 subjects using mononuclear cell isolation tubes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by centrifugation. Next, monocytes were isolated from the PBMCs by negative screening using the EasySep Human monocyte isolation kit. The monocytes were then cultured in RPMI-1640 medium, supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FBS, antibiotics, and IL-4 and GM-CSF at a final concentration of 25 ng / ml, to a cell concentration of 5 × 10^5 cells / ml. The cultures were then incubated in a CO2 incubator at 37°C and 5% CO2 for 6 days, with the medium changed every 2-3 days, to produce monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs).

[0045] Figure 6 shows the probiotic bacteria used in the experiment. The Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus strains shown in Figure 6 were cultured statically in MRS medium at 37°C for 16 hours. After collection, the cells were washed twice with sterile water and sterilized by autoclaving at 90°C for 15 minutes. Subsequently, the concentration of the bacterial strains was adjusted with sterile water to 1 x 10^8 or 3 x 10^8 / mL to obtain heat-sterilized cells for use in the test.

[0046] The prepared monocyte-derived dendritic cells were collected, washed once with RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% heat-inactivated FBS and antibiotics, and then adjusted to a concentration of 5 x 10^5 / mL in the same medium. Sterilized cells of various bacterial strains were added to the monocyte-derived dendritic cells in a 10-fold proportion ratio, and cultured in a CO2 incubator at 37°C and 5% CO2. The culture supernatant was collected 24 hours after the start of culture, and CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL7, IL1b, IL1ra, IL6, IL8, IL10, and TNFa were measured using CBA or Luminex Discovery assay.

[0047] Fecal samples were obtained from subjects who underwent blood collection. DNA was extracted from the provided fecal samples using the following method: 20 mg of fecal material was measured out, mixed with 300 mg of 0.1 mm diameter glass beads and 500 μl of tissue suspension reagent, and the mixture was disrupted in a bead-type tissue / cell disruptor at a setting of 5 m x 45 sec, with 5 minutes of standing time on ice in between, for a total of 6 cycles. After centrifugation at 4°C and 12,000 rpm for 5 minutes, 200 μl of the supernatant was taken, and 150 μl of protease dissolved in a protease lysis reagent at 0.4 mg / μL and 150 μl of tissue suspension reagent were added to obtain 100 μL of DNA solution using an automated nucleic acid separator (automated DNA separator).

[0048] Next, we designed a first primer set (FWD: CGCTCTTCCGATCTCTGTACGGRAGGCAGCAG (SEQ ID NO: 1), REV: CGCTCTTCCGATCTGACGGACTACHVGGGTWTCTAAT (SEQ ID NO: 2)) to amplify the 3rd and 4th variable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and a second primer set (including an adapter region and an index region (indicated by N) that allows processing of multiple samples in a single analysis; FWD: AATGATACGGCGACCACCGAGATCTACACNNNNNNNNACACTCTTTCCCTACACGACGCTCTTCCGATCTCTG (SEQ ID NO: 3), REV: CAAGCAGAAGACGGCATACGAGATNNNNNNNNGTGACTGGAGTTCAGACGTGTGCTCTTCCGATCTGAC (SEQ ID NO: 4)) necessary for sequencing analysis, and synthesized the primers using an oligo-primer synthesis service.

[0049] The sequencing method was as follows: A reaction solution containing a total volume of 20 μl, including the template DNA solution and the 1st primer set, was prepared using a kit containing PCR enzyme. A PCR reaction was performed using a thermal cycler, heating at 94°C for 3 minutes, followed by 30 cycles of 94°C for 30 seconds, 50°C for 30 seconds, and 72°C for 30 seconds, and then heating at 72°C for 5 minutes. The obtained PCR product was subjected to electrophoresis using a capillary electrophoresis apparatus, and the band pattern was confirmed. Subsequently, 1 μl of the obtained PCR product was used as a template, and PCR was performed using the 2nd primer set under the same conditions as described above. However, the number of PCR cycles was reduced to 8 instead of 30. The PCR product was purified using a PCR product purification kit, and its concentration was measured using a dsDNA quantification reagent. A DNA solution of the same concentration was mixed with the purified product and subjected to the sequencing kit reagent, and sequencing analysis was performed using a next-generation sequencer.

[0050] The obtained paired-end sequences were used to identify the phylum, class, order, family, and genus of Enterobacteriaceae contained in each sample, and further determined the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae based on each taxonomic rank. When analyzing at the genus level, bacteria from all 19 taxa listed below, with an average detection rate of more than 1% from the subjects, were included in the following analysis. Namely, Bifidobacterium_388775, Blautia_A_141781, Faecalibacterium, Phocaeicola_A_858004, Bacteroides_H, Ruminococcus_B, Anaerostipes, Fusicatenibacter, Anaerobutyricum, Gemmiger_A_ 73129, Ruminococcus_E, Agathobacter_164117, Mediterraneibacter_A_155507, Streptococcus, Dorea_A, Holdemanella, Parabacteroides_B_862066, Faecalibacillus, Lachnospiraceae, and others.

[0051] Through such experiments, the gut bacteria and their relative abundance (gut bacteria information) and the immune information of each subject may be obtained.

[0052] Returning to the explanation of Figure 3, the immune determination model storage unit 222 stores the immune determination model. The immune determination model is a determination model for obtaining immune information, which is the target variable, based on gut microbiota information given as an explanatory variable. The immune determination model may be configured, for example, as a table that associates gut microbiota information with immune information. The immune determination model may also be configured as a trained model obtained by a learning process using multiple training data including gut microbiota information and immune information.

[0053] The control unit 23 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and memory. The control unit 23 functions as an information control unit 231 and an immunoassay model generation unit 232 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 23 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0054] The information control unit 231 controls the input and output of information. For example, the information control unit 231 acquires experimental data from other devices (information processing devices and storage media) and records it in the experimental data storage unit 221. For example, the information control unit 231 transmits the immunoassay model stored in the immunoassay model storage unit 222 to another device (for example, the information providing device 30).

[0055] The immune determination model generation unit 232 performs model generation processing using experimental data stored in the experimental data storage unit 221. A specific example of such model generation processing is the learning process. For the learning process, supervised learning for classification such as support vector machines, random forests, or neural networks may be used. The immune determination model generation unit 232 generates a trained model for outputting immune information based on the input gut bacteria information, for example, by performing supervised learning. The immune determination model generation unit 232 records the generated trained model in the immune determination model storage unit 222.

[0056] The immunoassay model generation unit 232 operates in response to the operator of the judgment model generation device 20 and may generate an immunoassay model by analyzing experimental data, which associates intestinal bacterial information with immune information. In such analysis, for example, bacterial taxa may be extracted as follows: Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated to extract bacterial taxa that correlate with the amount of cytokine produced by monocyte-derived dendritic cells stimulated by bactericidal agents.

[0057] Figures 7-9 show the correlation coefficients calculated between the production levels of 10 cytokines and intestinal bacteria for multiple types of probiotics. We investigated bacterial taxa in which more than half (5 in the case of Figures 7-9) of cytokines had a correlation coefficient of 0.25 or higher or -0.25 or lower. As a result, Bifidobacterium 388775 was extracted from BB536, MCC1274, and MCC1849.

[0058] Furthermore, the relationship between Bifidobacterium 388775 and the amount of cytokine produced by monocyte-derived dendritic cells stimulated by each bacterium was analyzed. Figures 10 to 12 are graphs showing the relationship between the amount of cytokine produced when stimulated by each bacterium and the amount (proportion) of Bifidobacterium 388775. In Figures 10 to 12, the vertical axis shows the amount of cytokine produced, the horizontal axis shows the proportion of Bifidobacterium 388775, and each point represents a subject. Figure 10 uses BB536 as the bacterium, Figure 11 uses MCC1274 as the bacterium, and Figure 12 uses MCC1849 as the bacterium. In the analysis, subjects were stratified into those with a Bifidobacterium abundance of 20% or more and those with an abundance of less than 20%, and Welch's t-test was performed. As a result, significant differences were observed in more than half of the 10 cytokines in BB536, MCC1274, and MCC1849. This confirms that when Bifidobacterium 388775 is present in concentrations of 20% or more, cytokine production by monocyte-derived dendritic cells stimulated by the bactericidal agent decreases.

[0059] Therefore, it can be said that the presence of Bifidobacterium (e.g., Bifidobacterium 388775) as intestinal bacteria (e.g., present at 20% or more) has a negative correlation with the level of immune response. For this reason, when generating a table that associates intestinal bacterial information with immune information as an immune assessment model, for example, a table may be generated in which, if the amount of Bifidobacterium is above a certain level (e.g., the abundance ratio is 20% or more), the immune response is low and tolerance is shown as an immune response, and if the amount of Bifidobacterium is below a certain level, the immune response is high and activation is shown as an immune response. Alternatively, a range indicating a high amount of Bifidobacterium (e.g., a high abundance ratio) may be defined in multiple stages, and a table may be generated in which information indicating immune response is associated with each stage. In this case, the higher the amount of Bifidobacterium (the higher the abundance ratio), the lower the activation and the higher the tolerance information may be associated. For example, immune responsiveness may be defined in five stages: very high tolerance, high tolerance, moderate tolerance and activation, high activation, and very high activation, or other definitions may be used.

[0060] The immunoassay model obtained by the immunoassay model generation unit 232 may be transmitted to the information providing device 30 and recorded in the immunoassay model storage unit 321 of the information providing device 30.

[0061] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of the information providing device 30. The information providing device 30 is configured using information processing equipment such as a personal computer or a server device. The information providing device 30 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0062] The communication unit 31 is a communication device. The communication unit 31 may be configured, for example, as a network interface. The communication unit 31 communicates data with other devices via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 33. The communication unit 31 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0063] The storage unit 32 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 32 stores data used by the control unit 33. The storage unit 32 may also function as, for example, an immunoassay model storage unit 321. The immunoassay model storage unit 321 stores immunoassay models.

[0064] The control unit 33 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and memory. The control unit 33 functions as an information control unit 331, an immunoassay unit 332, and an information provision unit 333 when the processor executes a program. Note that all or part of the functions of the control unit 33 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include, for example, portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices (e.g., SSDs), as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0065] The information control unit 331 acquires an immunoassay model from the judgment model generation device 20. The information control unit 331 also acquires intestinal bacteria information from other devices such as the terminal device 10. Such information exchange between the information control unit 331 and other devices may be performed, for example, by communication via the communication unit 31.

[0066] The immune determination unit 332 performs immune determination processing using the immune determination model stored in the immune determination model memory unit 321 and the gut bacteria information. Through immune determination processing, immune information is generated for a person whose gut condition matches the gut bacteria information. By obtaining this information, the subject can learn about their immune information corresponding to their current gut bacteria. By knowing their immune information, the subject can increase their motivation to improve their current gut environment and gain a sense of security that it is okay to continue their current lifestyle. In addition, by knowing the subject's immune information, the caregiver can advise the subject on improving or maintaining their lifestyle.

[0067] If an immune assessment model is stored in the immune assessment model memory unit 321 for each type of probiotic, the immune assessment unit 332 may generate immune information for each type of probiotic based on intestinal bacteria information. By obtaining such information, the subject can learn about the immune response (immune information) obtained for each type of probiotic. Based on this information, the subject can learn about the immune response in relation to their current intestinal bacteria. Therefore, instead of blindly taking probiotics, they can selectively take probiotics that are appropriate for their immune response based on their intestinal bacteria. In addition, the caregiver can advise the subject on the appropriate type of probiotic.

[0068] The information provision unit 333 transmits immune information, including immune information generated by the immune determination unit 332, to the terminal device 10.

[0069] The information provision system 100 configured in this way makes it possible to learn about the immune response of a target person to probiotics. Specifically, it makes it possible to obtain immune information about the target person. For example, by inputting gut microbiota information about a target person into the information provision system 100, it becomes possible to learn about the immune response of that person to probiotics based on the gut conditions indicated by such gut microbiota information.

[0070] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of an example hardware configuration of an information processing device 90 applied to this embodiment. The information processing device 90 comprises a processor 91, main memory 92, communication interface 93, auxiliary storage device 94, input / output interface 95, and internal bus 96. The processor 91, main memory 92, communication interface 93, auxiliary storage device 94, and input / output interface 95 are connected to each other via the internal bus 96 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The information processing device 90 may be applied to, for example, a terminal device 10, a decision model generation device 20, and an information provision device 30. In this case, for example, the communication unit 11, communication unit 21, and communication unit 31 may be configured using the communication interface 93. For example, the storage unit 14, storage unit 22, and storage unit 32 may be configured using the auxiliary storage device 94. Also, the control unit 15, control unit 23, and control unit 33 may be configured using the processor 91 and main memory 92.

[0071] (modified version) In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 and the information providing device 30 are configured as separate devices, but they may be configured as a single device. In this case, for example, the information providing device 30 may further include configurations corresponding to the input unit 12 and the output unit 13, and be operated by the user. By configuring in this way, the device operated by the user when inputting gut bacteria information and the device that generates immune information based on the gut bacteria information can be configured as the same device.

[0072] In this embodiment, the judgment model generation device 20 and the information provision device 30 are configured as separate devices, but they may be configured as a single integrated device. In this case, for example, the information provision device 30 may further include configurations corresponding to the experimental data storage unit 221 and the immunoassay model generation unit 232.

[0073] The terminal device 10 may further have an interface for receiving intestinal information obtained by analyzing excrement from the analysis device. Such an interface may be configured, for example, as a communication interface for communicating with the analysis device. Such communication may be performed, for example, using wireless communication or using wired communication.

[0074] The judgment model generation device 20 may be implemented using multiple information processing devices. For example, the judgment model generation device 20 may be implemented using a cloud or other device. For example, in the judgment model generation device 20, the storage unit 22 and the control unit 23 may be implemented on different information processing devices. For example, the storage unit 22 of the judgment model generation device 20 may be distributed and implemented across multiple information processing devices. The information provision device 30 may be implemented using multiple information processing devices. For example, the information provision device 30 may be implemented using a cloud or other device. For example, in the information provision device 30, the storage unit 32 and the control unit 33 may be implemented on different information processing devices. For example, the storage unit 32 of the information provision device 30 may be distributed and implemented across multiple information processing devices.

[0075] The application running on terminal device 10 may not be intended to determine the immune information itself, but may be an application that provides the user with information obtained by processing the results of the immune information determination. Such an application may be an application that processes using an API (Programming Interface) provided by the information providing device 30, for example. In this case, instead of information indicating the information itself (immune information) obtained from the information providing device 30, the output unit 13 may output other information obtained by processing the immune information to terminal device 10.

[0076] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100…Information provision system, 10…Terminal device, 11…Communication unit, 12…Input unit, 13…Output unit, 14…Storage unit, 15…Control unit, 20…Judgment model generation device, 21…Communication unit, 22…Storage unit, 221…Experimental data storage unit, 222…Immuno-judgment model storage unit, 23…Control unit, 231…Information control unit, 232…Immuno-judgment model generation unit, 30…Information provision device, 31…Communication unit, 32…Storage unit, 321…Immuno-judgment model storage unit, 33…Control unit, 331…Information control unit, 332…Immuno-judgment unit, 333…Information provision unit

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a control unit that acquires immune information of a target person based on intestinal bacterial information, which is information relating to the intestinal bacteria of the target person, and an immune determination model in which the intestinal bacterial information is used as an explanatory variable and immune information indicating the immune response of the target person to probiotics is used as an objective variable.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit acquires the immune information based on the information relating to Bifidobacteria among the information indicated by the intestinal bacteria information.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit acquires the immune information based on information regarding the amount of Bifidobacterium present in the intestines.

4. An information processing method comprising the step of obtaining immune information of a target person based on intestinal bacterial information, which is information relating to the intestinal bacteria of the target person, and an immune determination model in which the intestinal bacterial information is used as an explanatory variable and immune information indicating the immune response of the target person to probiotics is used as an objective variable.

5. A computer program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device, comprising a control unit that acquires immune information of a target person based on intestinal bacterial information, which is information about the target person's intestinal bacteria, and an immune determination model in which immune information indicating the target person's immune response to probiotics is used as an explanatory variable and immune information indicating the target person's immune response to probiotics is used as an objective variable.

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