乳酸菌胞外多糖是乳酸菌在生长代谢过程中分泌到细胞壁外的一种天然高分子化合物。由于其能够改善发酵乳制品风味与质地，并具有多种生理活性，近年来受到国内外学者的普遍关注。根据近年来国内外乳酸菌胞外多糖免疫活性的研究现状，综述了产胞外多糖乳酸菌的种类、产量以及乳酸菌胞外多糖对特异性和非特异性免疫方面的影响，并对乳酸菌胞外多糖免疫调节活性及结构性质之间的构效关系进行了总结，旨在为乳酸菌胞外多糖的进一步开发和利用提供一定的理论基础。

The exopolysaccharides (EPS) synthesized by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were a kind of natural macromolecule compound，which were secreted by LAB into the cell wall during its growth and metabolism. The EPS had attracted worldwide attention because they could improve the flavor and texture of fermented dairy products, and has a variety of potential physiological activities. This article reviews the species of EPS producing strains and the yield of EPS, the effects of EPS on non-specific immunity and specific immune system, and the relationship between immunoregulatory activity and structure property base on recent literatures. The aim of current article was to provide a theoretical basis for the further development and application of the EPS from LAB.