The present invention relates to a novel
Pediococcus acidilactici WiKim0170 strain having
immunity-enhancing
efficacy and a composition for enhancing
immunity, comprising same. In the present invention, it has been discovered that the
Pediococcus acidilactici WiKim0170 strain, which is a novel strain derived from makgeolli, significantly increases
spleen NK
cell activity and increases
inflammatory mediator, immunoglobulin, and
cytokine production amounts, thereby improving an immunosuppressive reaction. In addition, the
Pediococcus acidilactici WiKim0170 strain has been confirmed to increase the
mRNA expression levels of iNOS, COX2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-2, IL-12, and IL-10 in
spleen tissue and increase the
phosphorylation levels of NF-κB and IκBα, thereby having an effect of mitigating decreased
immunity. Thus, according to the present invention, the composition comprising the
Pediococcus acidilactici WiKim0170 strain, which is a novel strain derived from makgeolli, as an
active ingredient is expected to be usefully employable as a pharmaceutical and
functional food composition for enhancing immunity.