Weissella cibaria WIKIM28 ameliorates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory T cells in BALB/c mice

The occurrence of atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disease, has been increasing steadily in children and adults in recent decades. In this study, we evaluated the ability of the lactic acid bacterium Weissella cibaria WIKIM28 isolated from gatkimchi, a Korean fermented vegetable preparation made from mustard leaves, to suppress the development of AD induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene in a murine model. Oral administration of W. cibaria WIKIM28 reduced AD-like skin lesions, epidermal thickening, and serum immunoglobulin E levels. Furthermore, the production of type 2 helper T (Th2) cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 decreased in peripheral lymph node cells. Moreover, the intake of W. cibaria WIKIM28 increased the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and IL-10 levels in polyclonally stimulated MLN cells. In conclusion, the oral administration of W. cibaria WIKIM28 isolated from gatkimchi ameliorated AD-like symptoms by suppressing allergic Th2 responses and inducing Treg responses. These results suggest that W. cibaria WIKIM28 may be applicable as a probiotic for the prevention and amelioration of AD.