Lactobacillus Helveticus Strains for Multi-Pathway Immune Stimulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a strong demand for lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus with high immunostimulatory activity to enhance immune functions, particularly strains that exhibit higher activity than existing strains like Lactococcus lactis JCM 5805.

Innovation Solution

The development of Lactobacillus helveticus strains, specifically Lactobacillus helveticus GCL1815 and Lactobacillus helveticus GCJ5-4B, which exhibit high immunostimulatory activity through dendritic cell-like cell activation, IgA production induction, and IL-12 production induction, outperforming Lactococcus lactis JCM 5805 in these functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lactic acid bacteria strains (e.g., Lactococcus lactis JCM 5805) are used for immune stimulation, then basic immune function support is provided, but immunostimulatory activity is insufficient compared to what is needed for enhanced immune function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmunostimulatory activityVSAvoidimmune function enhancement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and characterizing specific strains of Lactobacillus helveticus based on their immunostimulatory parameters. The invention identifies strains with specific properties (ability to activate dendritic cells, induce IgA production, and stimulate IL-12 production) that exceed conventional thresholds, thereby transforming ordinary lactic acid bacteria into high-activity immunostimulants through parameter-based strain selection and optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing lactic acid bacteria are used, then general probiotic benefits are achieved, but high-level immunostimulatory functions (dendritic cell activation, IgA production, IL-12 production) are not sufficiently activated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-functionality in immune stimulationVSAvoidactivity level of immune functions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by identifying Lactobacillus helveticus strains that simultaneously perform multiple immune-stimulating functions: activating dendritic cells, inducing IgA production, and stimulating IL-12 production. This multi-functional capability allows a single bacterial strain to address multiple aspects of immune system function, making the probiotic agent universally effective across different immune pathways rather than relying on single-function mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4666872A1Lactic acid bacteria and immunostimulant
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 EZAKI GLICO CO LTD
  • EP4666872A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4666872A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4666872A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides an agent for immune stimulation containing Lactobacillus helveticus, wherein the Lactobacillus helveticus has three functions: dendritic cell-like cell activation, IgA production induction, and IL-12 production induction.