Expression of cytokines in chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells after stimulation by probiotic bacteria and Campylobacter jejuni in vitro

The aim of this study was to delineate the ability of selected probiotic strains to reduce invasion by Campylobacter jejuni in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs). PMBCs were isolated from chicken blood and exposed in vitro to probiotic strains Enterococcus faecium EF55, E. faecium AL41, E. faecium H31, Lactobacillus fermentum AD1, and infected with C. jejuni CCM6191. The mRNA expression levels for selected cytokines were determined at 24 and 48 h postinfection (pi) using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The level of expression of IL-1β, LITAF, and MIP1-β was upregulated (P < 0.05; P < 0.01; P < 0.001) in LAD + CJ (L. fermentum AD1 + C. jejuni) group when compared to control (C), CJ (C. jejuni), and other combined groups (EF55 + CJ, AL 41 + CJ, H31 + CJ) 24 h pi. Overall, L. fermentum AD1 and E. faecium AL41 demonstrated the highest immunomodulatory activity against campylobacter infection in vitro.