Tolerogenic probiotics: potential immunoregulators in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Probiotics are commensal or nonpathogenic microbes that colonize the gastrointestinal tract and confer beneficial effects on the host through several mechanisms such as competitive exclusion, anti-bacterial effects, and modulation of immune responses. There is growing evidence supporting the immunomodulatory ability of some probiotics. Several experimental and clinical studies have been shown beneficial effect of some probiotic bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains, on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is mainly characterized by immune intolerance towards self-antigens. Some immunomodulatory probiotics have been found to regulate immune responses via tolerogenic mechanisms. Dendritic and T regulatory (Treg) cells, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-23 can be considered as the most determinant dysregulated mediators in tolerogenic status. As demonstrated by documented experimental and clinical trials on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, a number of probiotic bacterial strains can restore tolerance in host through modification of such dysregulated mediators. Since there are limited reports regarding to impact of probiotic supplementation in SLE patients, the preset review was aimed to suggest a number of probiotics bacteria, mainly from Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus strains that are able to ameliorate immune responses. The aim was followed through literature survey on immunoregulatory probiotics that can restore tolerance and also modulate the important dysregulated pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines contributing to the pathogenesis of SLE.

Early and Short-Term Interventions in the Gut Microbiota Affects Lupus Severity, Progression, and Treatment in MRL/lpr Mice

“…In this study, some altered genera caused by early and short-term antibiotics exposure were associated with increased lupus severity. Some genera reduced by antibiotics exposure, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, were reported to have the ability to alleviate lupus activity (Esmaeili et al, 2017;Mu et al, 2017b). In addition, increased levels of Klebsiella and Proteus caused by antibiotics exposure could induce increased lupus severity.…”

Oral Lactobacillus reuteri LR06 or Bifidobacterium BL5b supplement do not produce analgesic effects on neuropathic and inflammatory pain in rats

“…In both animal and human trials, probiotics have been implemented for the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of systemic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (de Oliveira, Leite, Higuchi, Gonzaga, & Mariano, ) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (Esmaeili et al, ). The mechanism of the effects of probiotic treatment may include exclusion of pathogenic microorganisms and immune system modulation, such as suppression of anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐10 or TGF‐β (Lavasani et al, ) and pro‐inflammatory cytokines (Kwon et al, ).…”

In vivo study: Th1–Th17 reduction in pristane‐induced systemic lupus erythematosus mice after treatment with tolerogenic Lactobacillus probiotics

“…The significance of live probiotics in the modulation of immune responses and in the control of disease severity in diseases, such as cancer, allergy, and autoimmune diseases, has been previously reported (Hardy, Harris, Lyon, Beal, & Foey, ). Therefore, detection of the mechanisms of the effect of these probiotics could be very useful in understanding the real pathogenesis of diseases (Esmaeili et al, ).…”