L. plantarum (O6CC2) beneficially modulates the host immune response during influenza infection in mice by increasing the production of IFN-α and Th1 cytokines (IL12 and IFN-γ) as well as the expression of Th1 cytokine receptors which potentiate NK cell activity at the early stage of influenza infection in mice. Here, IFNG is linked to influenza.