Beneficial roles of probiotics on the modulation of gut microbiota and immune response in pigs

Abstract

The importance of probiotics in swine production is widely acknowledged as crucial. However, gaps still remain in the exact roles played by probiotics in modulation of gut microbiota and immune response. This study determined the roles of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain JDFM LP11in gut microbiota modulation and immune response in weaned piglets. L. plantarum JDFM LP11 increased the population of lactic acid bacteria in feces and enhanced the development of villi in the small intestine. Metagenome analysis showed that microbial diversity and richness (Simpson, Shannon, ACE, Chao1) and the relative abundance of the Firmicutes were higher in weaned piglets fed probiotics. Five bacterial families were different in the relative abundance, especially; Prevotellaceae occupied the largest part of microbial community showed the most difference between two groups. Transcriptome analysis identified 25 differentially expressed genes using RNAsequencing data of the ileum. Further gene ontology and immune DB analysis determined 8 genes associated with innate defense response and cytokine production. BPI, RSAD2, SLPI, LUM, OLFM4, DMBT1 and C6 genes were down-regulated by probiotic supplementation except PLA2G2A. PICRUSt analysis predicting functional profiling of microbial communities indicated branched amino acid biosynthesis and butyrate metabolism promoting gut development and health were increased by probiotics. Altogether, our data suggest that L. plantarum JDFM LP11 increases the diversity and richness in the microbial community, and attenuates the ileal immune gene expression towards gut inflammation, promoting intestinal development in weaned piglets.

Effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus pumilus on Rumen and Intestine Morphology and Microbiota in Weanling Jintang Black Goat

“…The high diversity indexes, including Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, and ACE (Abundance-based Coverage Estimator) indicated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens fsznc-06 or Bacillus pumilus fsznc-09 treatment increased the richness of microbiota in rumen and caecum, compared with the control group. A good digestive tract microbiota benefits the host by regulation of the physiological procedure and mucosal immunity, from producing antimicrobial substances to suppressing the proliferation of digestive tract pathogens [23], leading to a highly efficient rumen function [24] and improving growth performance through improving the digestive tract microbial ecosystem [25]. In the present study, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the two dominant phyla in the rumen and caecum, which is in agreement with previous studies [26,27].…”

Anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii L531 in a pig model of Salmonella Infantis infection involves modulation of CCR6+ T cell responses and ER stress

“…In addition, L. johnsonii L531 pretreatment also protected animals from S. Infantis-induced intestinal damage (villus loss and ultrastructural damage). This was consistent with a previous report that probiotic supplementation increases the villus height and crypt depth in the intestine of piglets [19].…”

Applicability of an Unmedicated Feeding Program Aimed to Reduce the Use of Antimicrobials in Nursery Piglets: Impact on Performance and Fecal Microbiota

“…Associated with clinical and growth outcomes, fecal microbiota was evaluated as a main target for these alternative diets. Many authors have described the great impact of early-life events in mammals, and particularly in pigs, on their future health by shaping immune system development through changes in the pattern of microbial intestinal colonization [44,45]. Several works have demonstrated that aging involves greater richness and alpha diversity in the gut, and in the specific case of pig microbiota, the ecosystem has been described as becoming more homogenous between animals (reduced beta diversity) with age as of weaning [46][47][48].…”