Comparison of the immunomodulatory properties of three probiotic strains of Lactobacilli using complex culture systems: prediction for in vivo efficacy.

TitleComparison of the immunomodulatory properties of three probiotic strains of Lactobacilli using complex culture systems: prediction for in vivo efficacy.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsMileti E, Matteoli G, Iliev ID, Rescigno M
JournalPLoS One
Volume4
Issue9
Paginatione7056
Date Published2009
ISSN1932-6203
KeywordsAnimals, Cytokines, Dendritic Cells, Drug Evaluation, Preclinical, Humans, Inflammation, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Mice, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Probiotics, Salmonella, Species Specificity, Th1 Cells
Abstract

BACKGROUND: While the use of probiotics to treat or prevent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been proposed, to this point the clinical benefits have been limited. In this report we analyzed the immunological activity of three strains of Lactobacillus to predict their in vivo efficacy in protecting against experimental colitis.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We compared the immunological properties of Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB8826, L. rhamnosus GG (LGG), L. paracasei B21060 and pathogenic Salmonella typhimurium (SL1344). We studied the stimulatory effects of these different strains upon dendritic cells (DCs) either directly by co-culture or indirectly via conditioning of an epithelial intermediary. Furthermore, we characterized the effects of these strains in vivo using a Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) model of colitis. We found that the three strains exhibited different abilities to induce inflammatory cytokine production by DCs with L. plantarum being the most effective followed by LGG and L. paracasei. L. paracasei minimally induced the release of cytokines, while it also inhibited the potential of DCs to both produce inflammatory cytokines (IL-12 and TNF-alpha) and to drive Th1 T cells in response to Salmonella. This effect on DCs was found under both direct and indirect stimulatory conditions - i.e. mediated by epithelial cells - and was dependent upon an as yet unidentified soluble mediator. When tested in vivo, L. plantarum and LGG exacerbated the development of DSS-induced colitis and caused the death of treated mice, while, conversely L. paracasei was protective.

CONCLUSIONS: We describe a new property of probiotics to either directly or indirectly inhibit DC activation by inflammatory bacteria. Moreover, some immunostimulatory probiotics not only failed to protect against colitis, they actually amplified the disease progression. In conclusion, caution must be exercised when choosing a probiotic strain to treat IBD.

DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0007056
Alternate JournalPLoS ONE
PubMed ID19756155
PubMed Central IDPMC2738944