Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from dried yak cheese from the Bhutan Himalayas were examined for their ability to stimulate the expression of cytokine mRNA on the murine macrophage. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL) 6 or IL-12 p40 gene was stimulated by several strains. The dried yak cheese, Chugo, contains LAB that possess immuno-modulating activity.
