Induction of Th1 cytokines by Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (KCTC 3100) under Th2-type conditions and the requirement of NF-kappaB and p38/JNK.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (LMM) KCTC 3100, is one of the prominent species in the fermentation of kimchi, a traditional Korean food. In the present study, we investigated the capacity of this microorganism in inducing Th1 cytokines in the presence of Th2 signals in vitro and in vivo and the requirement of NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling.