Effect of the Cellular Extract of Co-cultured Lactobacillus Casei on BAX and Human β-Defensin 2 Genes Expression in HT29 Cells

Abstract

Aims: Defensins are cysteine-rich antimicrobial cationic peptides and BAX is a proapoptotic gene that can cause cell death. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cellular extract of co-cultured Lactobacillus casei on the expression of BAX and human β-defensin 2 (hBD-2) genes in HT29 cells. Methods & Materials: This experimental study was conducted in the Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2017. The HT29 cell line was obtained from the Pasteur Institute of Iran, and cells were assessed using Microculture Tetrazolium Test (MTT) after culturing. DNA was extracted from the treated cells, and then the DNA ladder assay was carried out. After preparing cDNA, the expression levels of BAX and hBD-2 genes in the HT29 cell line were measured using a real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Findings: The results of the MTT assay indicated that Lactobacillus casei inhibited the proliferation of HT29 cells and induced apoptosis in these cells. Results of DAPI staining and DNA ladder assay obtained from treating HT29 cells by Lactobacillus casei showed qualitative changes in cell apoptosis. Moreover, realtime PCR results indicated that Lactobacillus casei bacteria significantly increased the expression of the hBD-2 gene in HT29 colon cancer cells within 12-24 hours (P= 0.023), while BAX gene expression showed no significant change in the first 24 hours (P= 0.37). Conclusion: The extract of Lactobacillus casei can be used to stimulate cancer cells to produce β-defensins, inhibit pathogens, prevent the stimulation of cellular signaling, and fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

An Update on the Effectiveness of Probiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

“…Further L. acidophilus induces apoptosis by increasing the mRNA expression of vivin and decreasing the mRNA expression of SMAC [42]. Lactobacillus casei signific increases the expression of the hBD-2 gene in the cancer colon cell line HT29 [43]. J al.…”

“…Further L. acidophilus induces apoptosis by increasing the mRNA expression of survivin and decreasing the mRNA expression of SMAC [42]. Lactobacillus casei significantly increases the expression of the hBD-2 gene in the cancer colon cell line HT29 [43]. Joo et al reported that nisin induced apoptosis and reduced proliferation in HNSCC cells by increasing intracellular calcium, inducing cell cycle arrest, and activating cation transport regulator homolog 1 (Chac1) [44].…”