Assessment of the immunomodulatory properties of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei K5 in vitro and in vivo

Pelagia Chondrou, Athanasios Karapetsas, Despoina Eugenia Kiousi, Stavros Vasileiadis, Petros Ypsilantis, Sotiris Botaitis, Athanasios Alexopoulos, Stavros Plessas, Eugenia Bezirtzoglou, Alex Galanis (Lead / Corresponding author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)
83 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Lactobacillus paracasei K5 is a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strain that has been isolated from dairy products. Previous studies have established its probiotic potential in a series of in vitro tests, including molecular characterization, safety profiling, and tolerability of the gastrointestinal tract conditions. To characterize its beneficial actions on the host, we have shown previously that L. paracasei K5 adheres to Caco-2 cells and exerts anti-proliferative effects through the induction of apoptosis. In the present study, we focused on the immunomodulatory potential of this strain. We employed the dorsal-air-pouch mouse model of inflammation and recorded an eight-fold increase in the recruitment of immune cells in mice treated with the probiotic strain, compared to the control group. Analysis of the exudates revealed significant changes in the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators on site. Treatment of Caco-2 cells with L. paracasei K5 induced significant upregulation of cytokines interleukin-1α (IL-1α), ΙL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), the chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 2 (CXCL2), and the inflammation markers soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) and metallopeptidase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1). Transient induction of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2, 4, 6, and 9 expression levels was recorded by real-time PCR analysis. These results highlight the immunomodulatory potential of this strain and further support its probiotic character.

Original languageEnglish
Article number709
Pages (from-to)1-14
Number of pages14
JournalMicroorganisms
Volume8
Issue number5
Early online date11 May 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2020

Keywords

  • Air pouch
  • Cytokines
  • Immunomodulation
  • Probiotics
  • Toll-like receptors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Microbiology (medical)

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