Modulation of the immuno-coagulative response in a pneumococcal infection in malnourished mice nasally treated with Lactobacillus casei

Abstract

We studied the systemic effects of the intranasal administration of Lactobacillus casei on the immuno-coagulative response in pneumoccocal infection in immunocompromised mice. Weaned mice consumed a protein-free diet (PFD) for 21 days and were therefore malnourished. Malnourished mice were fed a balanced conventional diet (BCD) for 7 days (BCD group) or a BCD for 7 days with nasal administration of viable L. casei on days 6 and 7 (BCD+LcN group). The malnourished control mice (MNC) received a PFD, whereas the well-nourished control mice (WNC) continually consumed a BCD. At the end of the treatment period, the mice were infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. At different times after infection, we analysed the following parameters: global coagulation system, activation of coagulation, coagulation inhibitors, platelet count, leukocyte count and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, total proteins, albumin and acute phase proteins (APPs). The MNC group showed greater impairment in the coagulation tests and an increase in the positive APPs. These parameters were normalized by the L. casei treatment. However, the number of leukocytes, decreased by malnutrition, was improved only by the administration of L. casei. After infection, the BCD+LcN group showed similar results to those of the WNC group for most of the haemostatic parameters. The BCD+LcN group did not show significant variations in the prothrombin time or in the level of anticoagulant protein C, but showed higher levels of fibrinogen, platelets, albumin, leukocytes and MPO activity compared with the different experimental groups. The intranasal administration of L. casei was effective in modulating the pro-inflammatory aspects of coagulation without affecting coagulation itself.

Immunobiotic lactobacilli reduce viral-associated pulmonary damage through the modulation of inflammation–coagulation interactions

“…Moreover, L. rhamnosus CRL1505 administration efficiently reduces inflammatory lung tissue damage produced by poly(I:C) or RSV through its capacity to beneficially modulate proinflammatory/IL-10 and Th1/Th2 balances in the respiratory tract [13][14][15]. On the other hand, we demonstrated that some immunobiotic strains such as L. casei CRL431 or L. rhamnosus CRL1505 are able to beneficially modulate the inflammation-coagulation interaction during respiratory infections, indicating that LAB is able to modulate the immune-coagulative response [16][17][18][19]. Much research of our group has been done on coagulation activation during severe bacterial infections, and no data on the modulation of coagulation/inflammation interaction by immunobiotics in viral infections are available.…”

Modulation of the inflammation–coagulation interaction during pneumococcal pneumonia by immunobiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505: Role of Toll‐like receptor 2

“…During the last few years, we have provided a large body of evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of probiotic lactobacilli on the immune‐coagulative response during respiratory infections . Among the immunobiotic strains able to modulate the inflammation–coagulation interaction, L. rhamnosus CRL1505 stands out as a result of its capacity to beneficially influence the outcome of viral and bacterial respiratory infections . Our studies demonstrated that orally given L. rhamnosus CRL1505 is able to increase the number of CD3 + CD4 + IFN‐γ + T cells in the gut, induce mobilization of these cells into the respiratory mucosa, and improve local production of IFN‐γ and the activity of lung APC.…”

“…Although most research concerning LAB‐mediated enhanced immune protection is focused on gastrointestinal tract pathogens, a few recent studies have clearly demonstrated that immunomodulatory probiotic LAB (immunobiotics) are capable of stimulating the common mucosal immune system to provide protection to other mucosal sites as well . In this regard, our laboratory demonstrated that certain probiotic LAB can exert a beneficial effect on the host during Streptococcus pneumoniae , respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza virus infection through their capacity to beneficially modulate the immunocoagulative response . We demonstrated that orally given Lactobacillus casei CRL431 is able to effectively regulate coagulation activation and fibrinolysis inhibition during pneumococcal infection in immunocompetent mice, which led to decreased fibrin deposits in lung and reduced tissue damage .…”

“…We demonstrated that orally given Lactobacillus casei CRL431 is able to effectively regulate coagulation activation and fibrinolysis inhibition during pneumococcal infection in immunocompetent mice, which led to decreased fibrin deposits in lung and reduced tissue damage . In addition, repletion of malnourished mice with supplemental L. casei CRL431 given by oral or nasal routes was able to beneficially modulate the inflammation–coagulation relationship during the pneumococcal infection, indicating that LAB are able to modulate the immunocoagulative response in immunocompromised hosts. More recently, we demonstrated that another immunobiotic strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505, is able to improve the respiratory innate immune response and reduce activation of coagulation after challenge with bacterial or viral pathogens, reducing lung tissue damage and improving survival .…”

The Beneficial Role of Probiotic Lactobacillus in Respiratory Diseases

“…Lactobacilli can also provide resistance to respiratory bacterial infections. Administration of Lactobacilli such as L. rhamnosus CRL1505, L. casei CRL 431 and L. pentosus B240 increases resistance of mice to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection ( 41 – 43 ). Intranasal inoculation of L. rhamnosus CRL1505 is beneficial in S. pneumoniae infected-immunodeficient mice ( 39 ).…”