Probiotics and probiotic-based vaccines: A novel approach for improving vaccine efficacy

Abstract

Vaccination is defined as the stimulation and development of the adaptive immune system by administering specific antigens. Vaccines' efficacy, in inducing immunity, varies in different societies due to economic, social, and biological conditions. One of the influential biological factors is gut microbiota. Cross-talks between gut bacteria and the host immune system are initiated at birth during microbial colonization and directly control the immune responses and protection against pathogen colonization. Imbalances in the gut microbiota composition, termed dysbiosis, can trigger several immune disorders through the activity of the adaptive immune system and impair the adequate response to the vaccination. The bacteria used in probiotics are often members of the gut microbiota, which have health benefits for the host. Probiotics are generally consumed as a component of fermented foods, affect both innate and acquired immune systems, and decrease infections. This review aimed to discuss the gut microbiota's role in regulating immune responses to vaccination and how probiotics can help induce immune responses against pathogens. Finally, probiotic-based oral vaccines and their efficacy have been discussed.

Nuxcell Neo® improves vaccine efficacy in antibody response

“…The effectiveness of vaccines depends on different factors, one of the most influential being the intestinal microbiota ( 8 ). Interactions between gut bacteria and the immune system begin immediately after birth, directly influencing the immune response and, thus, protecting against pathogens ( 31 ).…”

“…When there are changes in the composition of the gut microbiota, it can lead to several immune disorders, thereby impairing the proper response to immunization ( 31 ). Metabolic diseases such as diabetes can alter the gut microbiome and disrupt gut bacterial equilibrium ( 32 ).…”

“…Considering the parameters analyzed in this study, there was a significant increase in circulating antibodies in the Nuxcell Neo ® group, while on the other hand, there was no change in cytokine levels, which is justifiable since there was no presence of insult ( Figure 4 ). Several studies have been designed to evaluate the relationship between immune responses, intestinal microbiota, and vaccine efficiency ( 7 , 9 , 31 , 34 ). There is widespread recognition that the gut microbiota can affect the function and development of humoral immunity and vaccine efficacy ( 35 , 36 ).…”

Oral Immunization with Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Induces Mucosal and Systemic Antibody Responses in Mice

“…As SARS-CoV-2 infections continue to rise even among vaccinated individuals [ 28 , 29 ], there is an urgent call for an alternative vaccine platform that is less expensive, readily scalable, as well as easier to store and administer, as this would overcome the major limitations of the current COVID-19 vaccines [ 30 ]. Other authors have previously suggested [ 31 , 32 ] the use of probiotic strains as delivery systems for viral or bacterial antigens with promising results, including SARS-CoV-2 [ 13 , 33 ]. In this study, we proposed a new immunization approach using plasmid transfection by inducing the widely used apathogenic EcN strain to express and expose SARS-CoV-2 SP on the bacterial surface.…”

Probiotic of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NWAFU-BIO-BS29 Isolated from Chinese Traditional Fermented Milk and Its Potential Therapeutic Applications Based on Gut Microbiota Regulation

“…The microbiota’s interaction with the host promotes the intestinal epithelial barrier, improves immune homeostasis, protects from pathogen colonization, and inhibits deleterious inflammatory reactions. Therefore, the gut microbiota’s composition can affect the normal mucosal immune system, while the imbalances in the gut microbiota’s composition, termed dysbiosis, can trigger several immune disorders through the activity of the adaptive immune system [ 18 ].…”