Lactobacillus gasseri (L. gasseri)

Lactobacillus gasseri is a Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic bacterium in the genus Lactobacillus, naturally found as part of the normal human gastrointestinal, oral, and vaginal microbiota. It is recognized for its probiotic properties, including tolerance to acidic and bile-rich environments, ability to adhere to epithelial tissues, and production of antimicrobial substances such as gassericin A and lactocillin. L. gasseri is associated with a range of health benefits, including modulation of the immune system and anti-inflammatory effects, prevention and treatment of bacterial and fungal infections (notably in the vaginal and gastrointestinal tracts), and support for metabolic health through lipid regulation, reduction of abdominal fat, and hepatoprotection. It exerts these effects by competing with pathogens for mucosal colonization, producing bacteriocins, and interacting with host immune pathways (e.g., via toll-like receptors and PI3K/Akt signaling). While not a therapeutic target in the molecular sense, it is the active component in many probiotic formulations and is generally considered safe for human use, except potentially in severely immunocompromised hosts.

Other names

L. gasseri

Probiotic colonization and competition with pathogenic microbes; Production of antimicrobial compounds (bacteriocins such as gassericin A, lactocillin); Enhancement of host barrier function and modulation of immune signaling (e.g., via PI3K/Akt, TLR2/NOD2 pathways)