Consumption of Lactobacillus casei Fermented Milk Prevents Salmonella Reactive Arthritis by Modulating IL-23/IL-17 Expression

Abstract

Reactive arthritis is the development of sterile joint inflammation as a sequel to a remote infection, often in the gut. We have previously shown that a low dose of S. enteritidis inoculated to streptomycin-pretreated mice generates a self-limiting enterocolitis suitable for studying reactive arthritis. Here we show that consumption of Lactobacillus casei prior to infection abolishes intestinal and joint inflammation triggered by Salmonella. BALB/c mice were sacrificed after infection; intestinal and joint samples were analyzed for histological changes and expression of cytokines. TNF-α was measured by ELISA and the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-23 and TGF-β was assessed by qPCR. L. casei consumption prevented Salmonella-induced synovitis, the increment of TNF-α in knees and the increase of IL-17 expression in popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes. At intestinal level consumption of L. casei drastically diminished S. enteritidis invasiveness and shortened splenic persistence of the pathogen. Bacterial loads recovered at days 2 and 5 from Peyer’s patches were 10-fold lower in mice fed with L. casei. In accordance, we found that the augment in gut permeability induced during enterocolitis was decreased in those animals. Consumption of L. casei prior to infection failed to increase anti- inflammatory molecules such as IL-10 and TGF-β in the intestine. On the other hand, consumption of L. casei abrogated the expression of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, IL-1β and IL-6 in cecum and mesenteric lymph nodes. These cytokines are needed for differentiation of immune cells involved in the development of reactive arthritis such as Th17 and γδ T cells. Trafficking of these inflammatory cells from the gut to the joints has been proposed as a mechanism of generation of reactive arthritis. Our results suggest that L. casei consumption prevents Salmonella-induced synovitis by altering the intestinal milieu necessary for differentiation of cells involved in the generation of joint inflammation.

Beneficial effect of immunobiotic strains on attenuation of Salmonella induced inflammatory response in human intestinal epithelial cells

“…In addition, the expression of IL-1β in L. acidophilus treated rats was significantly lower than that of Salmonella alone [32]. Oral administration of L. casei abrogated Salmonella induced IL-6 and IL-1β expression in mice [33]. Taken together, the results of these studies support our finding that Lactobacillus strains have the potential to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production induced by Salmonella in vitro in IECs.…”

Attenuation of Colitis by Lactobacillus casei BL23 Is Dependent on the Dairy Delivery Matrix

“…Although cytokine amounts were not at levels detected in healthy mice, the results show the significant potential of L. casei to influence immune function. These findings are in agreement with the previously reported anti-inflammatory properties of other L. casei strains (19,(61)(62)(63).…”

Amelioration of Chemotherapy-Induced Intestinal Mucositis by Orally Administered Probiotics in a Mouse Model

“…PCR cycling was performed as follows: 50°C for 2 min, 95°C for 10 min, and 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 s and 60°C for 1 min. Pairs of oligonucleotide primers specific to TNF-α [ 22 ], IL-1β [ 23 ], and IL-6 [ 24 ] housekeeping gene 18sRNA [ 25 ] were used. Q-PCR data were analyzed following the 2 -ΔΔCt method using 18sRNA as an endogenous control.…”