Differential immunomodulatory effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus DR20, Lactobacillus fermentum CECT 5716 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis on monocyte-derived dendritic cells

•We studied six probiotics commonly used in functional foods, and with a known effect on the maturation of human MoDCs.•L. rhamnosus induced the maturation on MoDCs, which primed the differentiation of Th1 cells.•L. fermentum induced a specific response on MAPK, NF-κB, AP-1 and STAT3 related genes.•B. lactis had no effect on the maturation state of MoDCs and decreases the mRNA expression levels of CXCL10.