Abstract: Novel microorganisms of the family Lactobacillaceae and pharmaceutical compositions, food and methods of using same are provided. The microorganisms have the ability of preventing colonization of the intestine with pathogenic bacteria causing diarrhea and of preventing infection of intestinal epithelial cells by rotaviruses. The microorganisms can be used for the preparation of an ingestable support and to compositions containing same.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel gene of Bifidobacteria and to the polypeptides encoded thereby. In particular, the present invention pertains to a gene belonging to the Serpin superfamily and its use in the production of bacterial Serpins. Also provides are vectors host cells, and methods for producing bacterial Serpin polynucleotides and/or polypeptides.

Abstract: Human epithelial colon immortalized cell line, which does not express tumour markers, which expresses metabolic markers specific for the non-immortalized human epithelial cells and metabolic differentiation markers specific for the non-immortalized epithelial cells of the human colon, and which is capable of adhering in vitro to the strain of lactic acid bacterium CNCM-1225. Serum-free culture medium characterized in that it comprises trace elements, vitamins consisting of vitamin C and retinoic acid, and hormones consisting of triiodothyronine, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, bovine pituary gland extract, insulin, EGF and transferrin. Process for the immortalization of epithelial cells of the human colon, in which a culture of primary epithelial cells derived from the human colon is prepared, the culture is infected with a recombinant virus, the immortalized cells are cultured in the serum-free culture medium according to the invention.

Abstract: Human epithelial colon immortalized cell line, which does not express tumour markers, which expresses metabolic markers specific for the non-immortalized human epithelial cells and metabolic differentiation markers specific for the non-immortalized epithelial cells of the human colon, and which is capable of adhering in vitro to the strain of lactic acid bacterium CNCM-1225. Serum-free culture medium characterized in that it comprises trace elements, vitamins consisting of vitamin C and retinoic acid, and hormones consisting of triiodothyronine, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, bovine pituary gland extract, insulin, EGF and transferrin. Process for the immortalization of epithelial cells of the human colon, in which a culture of primary epithelial cells derived from the human colon is prepared, the culture is infected with a recombinant virus, the immortalized cells are cultured in the serum-free culture medium according to the invention.

Abstract: Immortalized adult human colon epithelial cell line, which does not express tumour markers, which expresses metabolic markers specific for the non-immortalized human epithelial cells and metabolic differentiation markers specific for the non-immortalized epithelial cells of the human colon, and which is capable of adhering in vitro to the strain of lactic acid bacterium CNCM-1225. Serum-free culture medium characterized in that it comprises trace elements, vitamins consisting of vitamin C and retinoic acid, and hormones consisting of triiodothyronine, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, bovine pituary gland extract, insulin, EGF and transferrin. Process for the immortalization of epithelial cells of the human colon, in which a culture of primary epithelial cells derived from the human colon is prepared, the culture is infected with a recombinant virus, the immortalized cells are cultured in the serum-free culture medium according to the invention.