Functional Properties of Food Origin Lactobacillus in the Gastrointestinal Ecosystem—In Vitro Study

Abstract

In the current study, the probiotic activity of ten Lactobacillus (Lb.) strains, previously isolated from the traditional Polish fermented vegetable, was characterized. Strains were assessed for adhesion to human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells and regulation of selected cytokine production (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-23, and TNF-α) by THP-1 macrophages. The effect of tested strains on Caco-2 cell apoptosis was also investigated using a caspase-3 assay. Adhesion capacity was strain-dependent (1.29-8.24% of initial population). Highest adhesion was observed for Lb. brevis O24. All Lactobacillus strains investigated in this study stimulated two- to threefold increase in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production, compared to the control. Additionally, selected strains of Lactobacillus caused a significant decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated THP-1 cells. Almost all Lactobacillus investigated in this study are potent stimulators of IL-10 production. All tested Lactobacillus cells slightly increased the caspase-3 activity in Caco-2 cells. Lb. casei O18 was the most inducing strain. The tested strains had no effect on staurosporine (STS)-induced caspase-3 activity. According to these results, the most promising strains are Lb. plantarum O20, two strains Lb. brevis O22 and O24, and Lb. rhamnosus K3. These newly identified lactobacilli hold promise for use as probiotics in functional food applications.

Daily Intake of Fermented Milk Containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (Lcs) Modulates Systemic and Upper Airways Immune/Inflammatory Responses in Marathon Runners

“…So, in that study, we postulated that higher IL-10 levels help improve the protection of the upper respiratory tract against mucosal inflammation induced by the marathon [4]. Regarding LcS actions, it was observed that LcS was able to stimulate the immune cells, especially macrophages and dendritic cells, to secrete different cytokines as IL-10, IL-12, IFN-, and TNF-α [31,32,33]. Based on the fact that IL-10 and IL-12 exhibits opposing roles in the regulation of the immune responses, the IL-10/IL-12 ratio has been used as a crucial measure of the balance between the anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory states induced by LcS [34].…”

Keeping Candida commensal: how lactobacilli antagonize pathogenicity of Candida albicans in an in vitro gut model

“…In the literature, contrasting results were described concerning Lactobacillus- mediated apoptosis induction. Some studies demonstrate the ability to prevent pathogen-induced apoptosis (Li et al, 2008; Santos et al, 2016), whereas others state the opposite (Sungur et al, 2017; Zielinska et al, 2018). Interestingly, the timing of the apoptosis induction coincided with the observed shedding.…”

Investigation into In Vitro and In Vivo Caenorhabditis elegans Models to Select Cheese Yeasts as Probiotic Candidates for their Preventive Effects against Salmonella Typhimurium

“…They can function as a microbial barrier by preventing pathogen binding [ 16 ] and modulation of the immune system [ 17 , 18 ], as well as by the production of inhibitory compounds, such as organic acid, oxygen catabolites, and proteinaceous compounds [ 19 ]. Adhesion ability is strain-dependent, and an evaluation of this characteristic is recommended for the selection of a probiotic [ 19 , 20 ]. Recent research has shown the need to combine in vitro and in vivo approaches with animal models as a preface to human studies in order to decipher probiotic functions and mechanisms of action [ 21 ].…”