Deemed the first successful study to turn up evidence on how probiotics influence the immune system, a report by a team of Dutch scientists argues probiotic bacteria activate specific genes in intestinal walls.
Patterns of gene expressions in intestinal wall cells may trigger immune tolerance, they believe.
Led by Professor Michiel Kleerebezem, the researchers published their findings in the online journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
"Our study identified mucosal gene expression patterns and cellular pathways that correlated with the establishment of immune tolerance in healthy adults," they conclude.
According to the World Health Organisation, probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host".