Probiotic Properties of Lactobacillus crispatus 2,029: Homeostatic Interaction with Cervicovaginal Epithelial Cells and Antagonistic Activity to Genitourinary Pathogens

Abstract

Lactobacillus crispatus 2029 isolated upon investigation of vaginal lactobacilli of healthy women of reproductive age was selected as a probiotic candidate. The aim of the present study was elucidation of the role of L. crispatus 2029 in resistance of the female reproductive tract to genitourinary pathogens using cervicovaginal epithelial model. Lactobacillus crispatus 2029 has surface layers (S-layers), which completely surround cells as the outermost component of their envelope. S-layers are responsible for the adhesion of lactobacilli on the surface of cervicovaginal epithelial cells. Study of interactions between L. crispatus 2029 and a type IV collagen, a major molecular component of epithelial cell extracellular matrix, showed that 125I-labeled type IV collagen binds to lactobacilli with high affinity (Kd = (8.0 ± 0.7) × 10(-10) M). Lactobacillus crispatus 2029 consistently colonized epithelial cells. There were no toxicity, epithelial damage and apoptosis after 24 h of colonization. Electronic microscope images demonstrated intimate association between L. crispatus 2029 and epithelial cells. Upon binding to epithelial cells, lactobacilli were recognized by toll-like 2/6 receptors. Lactobacillus crispatus induced NF-κB activation in epithelial cells and did not induce expression of innate immunity mediators IL-8, IL-1β, IL-1α and TNF-α. Lactobacillus crispatus 2029 inhibited IL-8 production in epithelial cells induced by MALP-2 and increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-6, maintaining the homeostasis of female reproductive tract. Lactobacillus crispatus 2029 produced H2O2 and provided wide spectrum of antagonistic activity increasing colonization resistance to urinary tract infections by bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis associated agents.

Lactobacillus crispatus mediates anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 induction in response to Chlamydia trachomatis infection in vitro

“…A continuous production of IL-8 promotes, for instance, the infiltration of neutrophils, which are not only inefficient in resolving Chlamydial infections but can also release proteases that may damage surrounding cells (Skwor et al, 2008). In agreement with several studies (Abramov et al, 2014;Zaga et al, 2004), our results showed that L. crispatus and its culture supernatant decreased IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-␣ production in C. trachomatis-infected HeLa and J774 cells. Our data suggest that Lc and CSLc trigger the host innate immune response and reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the presence of C. trachomatis infection.…”

“…It has been reported to promote the stability of the normal vaginal microbiota while its absence has been associated with a range of vaginal abnormalities (Macklaim et al, 2013;Fredricks et al, 2007). L. crispatus can inhibit the growth of pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus, probably due to the production of lactic acid (Abramov et al, 2014). Lactobacilli can inhibit chlamydial infection through multiple mechanisms, of which lactic acid-mediated C. trachomatis killing is clearly the most efficient (Gong et al, 2014), but the exact inhibition mechanism on the C. trachomatis pathogenetic effect by the Lactobacillus strains has not been fully elucidated.…”

Selection of Lactobacillus strains as potential probiotics for vaginitis treatment

“…The amounts of H 2 O 2 produced by the Lactobacillus strains were similar to those observed in other studies analysing probiotic properties of vaginal lactobacilli isolated from healthy women (Abramov et al, 2014). The production of H 2 O 2 by lactobacilli is one of the most important defense mechanisms against colonization by pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms (Dover et al, 2008).…”

Modulation of immunity and gut microbiota after dietary administration of alginate encapsulated Shewanella putrefaciens Pdp11 to gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

“…The capability of different Lactobacillus species to increase the immunological response has also been reported in fish such as sea bass [67] and gilthead seabream [70]. In addition, specimens of Senegalese sole farmed under high stocking density and receiving a diet supplemented with SpPdp11 showed a higher resistance to disease in comparison with fish fed the diet without the probiotic [67], and this higher resistance was related to important changes in the intestinal microbiota, such as the presence of L. fermentum only in fish fed the diet supplemented with the probiotic [43].…”