Bifidobacterium longum able to beneficially modulate immune response to respiratory virus infection

Abstract

Bifidobacterium longum strains and cell wall fractions isolated from Bifidobacterium longum strains are useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of a respiratory viral infection in a subject. They are also useful in the prophylaxis of a secondary bacterial infection associated with a respiratory viral infection in a subject, especially a subject who is susceptible to respiratory infections.

1 - 125 . (canceled) 
     
     
         126 . A method of treating a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising an ingestible carrier and a strain of  Bifidobacterium longum  or cell wall fraction thereof, wherein the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain has the accession number NCIMB 41003 or NCIMB 42020, and wherein the treatment alters the subject’s immune response to a respiratory virus by enhancing a type III interferon response to the virus and suppressing an interferon type I response to the virus. 
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the formulation comprises a cell wall fraction of the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain, and a molecular weight of the cell wall fraction is greater than 100 kDa. 
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 127 , wherein the cell wall fraction is less than 0.45 µm in size. 
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the treatment attenuates an IP-10 response to the virus in the subject. 
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the treatment increases an interferon lambda response to the virus in the subject. 
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the treatment suppresses an interferon alpha response or an interferon beta response to the virus in the subject. 
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the treatment increases a surfactant protein D response to the virus in the subject. 
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the virus is an influenza virus, rhinovirus, or respiratory syncytial virus. 
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the subject has been diagnosed with an inflammatory lung disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the subject has increased susceptibility to a respiratory infection, is obese, or is greater than 60 years of age. 
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the formulation is administered to the lung or the nose of the subject. 
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a nasal spray. 
     
     
         138 . A method of treating a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising a cell wall fraction isolated from a  Bifidobacterium longum  strain having the accession number NCIMB 41003 or NCIMB 42020 and an ingestible carrier, wherein the formulation is administered to the lung or nose of the subject as a spray, and wherein the treatment alters the subject’s immune response to a respiratory virus. 
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 138 , wherein the treatment enhances a type III interferon response to the virus and suppresses an interferon type I response to the virus. 
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 138 , wherein the treatment attenuates an IP-10 response to the virus, enhances an interferon lambda response to the virus, suppresses an interferon alpha response to the virus, suppresses an interferon beta response to the virus, or enhances a surfactant D protein response to the virus. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 138 , wherein the subject has been diagnosed with an inflammatory lung disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the subject having increased susceptibility to a respiratory infection. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 138 , wherein the molecular weight of the cell wall fraction is greater than 100 kDa, and wherein the cell wall fraction is less than 0.45 µm in size. 
     
     
         143 . A method of treating a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising an ingestible carrier and a strain of  Bifidobacterium longum  or cell wall fraction thereof; wherein the  Bifidobacterium longum  strain has the accession number NCIMB 41003 or NCIMB 42020; wherein the treatment alters the subject’s immune response to a respiratory virus chosen from an influenza virus, rhinovirus, or respiratory syncytial virus; and wherein the subject has been diagnosed with an inflammatory lung disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the subject having increased susceptibility to a respiratory infection. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein the ingestible carrier is a capsule, a tablet, a powder, a food product, or a beverage. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 143 , wherein the treatment increases a surfactant protein D response to the virus in the subject.