Aerosol Inhalation of Heat-Killed Clostridium butyricum CGMCC0313-1 Alleviates Allergic Airway Inflammation in Mice

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to beneficial microorganisms can reduce the risk of asthma, but the clinical use of live probiotics is controversial due to the risk of infection. As heat-killed probiotics can also exhibit immunomodulatory activity, this study is aimed at investigating whether heat-killed Clostridium butyricum (HKCB) CGMCC0313-1 could reduce allergic airway inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced mouse model. Mice received aerosol inhalation of HKCB, oral administration of HKCB, or oral administration of live Clostridium butyricum (CB) during sensitization. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell number, histology, and levels of the cytokines interferon-gamma and IL-4, the autophagy-related proteins LC3B, Beclin1, and p62, and members of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway were examined. Our results demonstrated that aerosol inhalation of HKCB, oral HKCB administration, and oral live CB administration alleviated allergic airway inflammation and mucus secretion in allergic mice. Aerosol inhalation of HKCB was the most effective method; it restored the Th1/Th2 balance, ameliorated autophagy, and inhibited the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in the lungs of allergic mice. Thus, aerosol inhalation of HKCB could be a promising strategy for the prevention or treatment of asthma.

Respiratory diseases and gut microbiota: relevance, pathogenesis, and treatment

“…It can be an important adjunct drug in the treatment of lung cancer. Animal experiments have also shown that C. butyricum CGMCC0313-1 can reduce ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation in mice (Juan et al, 2017 ; Li L. et al, 2022 ). In a mouse model of allergic asthma, oral administration of Clostridium butyrate can inhibit airway remodeling and airway hyperreactivity, reduce airway inflammation, and reduce mast cell degranulation.…”

“…C. butyricum can reverse the Th1/Th2 imbalance in the airway of asthmatic mice and increase the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (Juan et al, 2017 ). Further studies showed that C. butyricum can not only restore Th1/Th2 balance in mice with allergic asthma but also improve lung autophagy and inhibit the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway in the lungs, and further relieve allergic airway inflammation (Li L. et al, 2022 ).…”

Heat-Killed Bifidobacterium longum BBMN68 in Pasteurized Yogurt Alleviates Mugwort Pollen-Induced Allergic Airway Responses through Gut Microbiota Modulation in a Murine Model

“…Both live and heat-killed LGG have shown anti-inflammatory effects in different models [13,14]. Administration of heat-killed Clostridium butyricum CGMCC0313-1 through aerosol inhalation was shown to adjust the Th1/Th2 balance and suppress the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory pathway in the lungs of allergic mice [15]. Heatkilled Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus curvatus inhibited AHR by reducing cytokine levels and inducing regulatory factor Foxp3 expression [16].…”