When murine BM-DC were incubated with various lactobacillus strains or their exopolysaccharides, we observed that the capacities of the cells/polymers to up-regulate the expressions of MHC class I and II and co-stimulatory (CD80, CD86, CD40) molecules differed greatly based on the IBD status of the mice from which the bacteria were isolated. The gene discussed is CD86; the disease is inflammatory bowel disease.