Selection of bacterial strains with immunomodulatory capacities.

<p>Bacteria were evaluated by studying (A) the mitogenic assay and expression of cytokines in porcine Peyer_$B!G_(Bs patches (B), mesenteric lymphoid nodes (C), and porcine intestinal epithelial cells (D). Cells were pre-treated with different bacterial strains for 48 h, and then the mitogenic activity or the expression of MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured. The results represent four independent experiments. Different letters indicate significant differences (P<0.05).