Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 induces type 1 cytokine production by mouse cells in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 has been shown to increase clearance of bacteria injected into the blood of germ-free mice. Moreover, it induces the production of type 1 cytokines by human peripheral mononuclear cells. The objective of the present study was to investigate the production of inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-12 (IL-12 p40), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ)] triggered in vitro by live, heat-killed or lysozyme-treated L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 and in vivo by a live preparation. Germ-free, L. delbrueckii-monoassociated and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-resistant C3H/HeJ mice were used as experimental models. UFV-H2b20 induced the production of IL-12 p40 and TNF-α by peritoneal cells and IFN-γ by spleen cells from germ-free or monoassociated Swiss/NIH mice and LPS-hyporesponsive mice (around 40 ng/mL for IL-12 p40, 200 pg/mL for TNF-α and 10 ng/mL for IFN-γ). Heat treatment of L. delbrueckii did not affect the production of these cytokines. Lysozyme treatment decreased IL-12 p40 production by peritoneal cells from C3H/HeJ mice, but did not affect TNF-α production by these cells or IFN-γ production by spleen cells from the same mouse strain. TNF-α production by peritoneal cells from Swiss/NIH L. delbrueckii-monoassociated mice was inhibited by lysozyme treatment. When testing IL-12 p40 and IFN-γ levels in sera from germ-free or monoassociated Swiss/NIH mice systemically challenged with Escherichia coli we observed that IL-12 p40 was produced at marginally higher levels by monoassociated mice than by germ-free mice (40 vs 60 ng/mL), but IFN-γ was produced earlier and at higher levels by monoassociated mice (monoassociated 4 and 14 ng/mL 4 and 8 h after infection, germfree 0 and 7.5 ng/mL at the same times). These results show that L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 stimulates the production of type 1 cytokines in vitro and in vivo, therefore suggesting that L. delbrueckii might have adjuvant properties in infection in which these cytokines play a major role.

Monoassociation with probiotic Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 stimulates the immune system and protects germfree mice against Listeria monocytogenes infection

“…Ishida-Fujii et al [24] reported that peritoneal macrophages from rats fed with Lactobacillus casei and intraperitoneally infected with E. coli had improved phagocytic activity and produced higher quantities of TNF-a. Previous studies from our group showed that L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 stimulates production of cytokines by mouse and human cells in vitro [25,26]. Here, L. delbrueckii UFV-H2b20 triggered the in vivo production of TNF-a and IFN-c, cytokines that mediate the resistance to L. monocytogenes infection.…”

Comparison of the Immunomodulatory Effects of Live and Heat-killed Lactobacillus pentosus S-PT84

“…6,7) Neumann et al reported that interleukin-12 (IL-12) or interferongamma (IFN-γ) production from mouse peritoneal cells or splenocytes was equally induced by live Lactobacillus delbrueckii and dead bacteria. 8) Recently, Adams reported that the use of dead probiotics as biological response modifiers has several attractive advantages compared to live probiotics. 9) Ueno et al reported that heat-killed bacteria could maintain intestinal homeostasis and improve intestinal disorders without the need for live probiotics.…”