Probiotic-mediated p38 MAPK immune signaling prolongs the survival of Caenorhabditis elegans exposed to pathogenic bacteria

Abstract

The host-microbiota cross-talk represents an important factor contributing to innate immune response and host resistance during infection. It has been shown that probiotic lactobacilli exhibit the ability to modulate innate immunity and enhance pathogen elimination. Here we showed that heat-inactivated probiotic strain Lactobacillus curvatus BGMK2-41 stimulates immune response and resistance of the Caenorhabditis elegans against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. By employing qRT-PCR and western blot analysis we showed that heat-inactivated BGMK2-41 activated PMK-1/p38 MAPK immunity pathway which prolongs the survival of C. elegans exposed to pathogenic bacteria in nematode killing assays. The C. elegans pmk-1 mutant was used to demonstrate a mechanistic basis for the antimicrobial potential of BGMK2-41, showing that BGMK2-41 upregulated PMK-1/p38 MAPK dependent transcription of C-type lectins, lysozymes and tight junction protein CLC-1. Overall, this study suggests that PMK-1/p38 MAPK‐dependent immune regulation by BGMK2-41 is essential for probiotic-mediated C. elegans protection against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and could be further explored for development of probiotics with the potential to increase resistance of the host towards pathogens.

In silico, in vitro and in vivo characterization of host-associated Latilactobacillus curvatus strains for potential probiotic applications in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

“…Probiotics are a promising approach to improve salmon weight gain and disease resistance, offering potential solutions for the two major challenges in aquaculture. Lactobacillus , first bacteriologically described in 1901 14 , is a popular probiotic candidate genus of lactic acid bacteria with a long history of safe use 15 , 16 , and many studies have shown their efficacy in modulating terrestrial host immune systems 17 – 20 . They dominate the intestine of healthy fish 21 , 22 and favorably modulate fish gut microbiome 22 , suggesting that they may be adapted for survival in the fish gut environment.…”

“…They dominate the intestine of healthy fish 21 , 22 and favorably modulate fish gut microbiome 22 , suggesting that they may be adapted for survival in the fish gut environment. Lactobacilli have been repeatedly demonstrated to improve fish disease resistance via immunostimulation 17 – 20 . This effect likely stems from a combination of mechanisms such as humoral immune modulation 21 , 22 , bacteriocin production 23 , and lymphocyte modulation 24 , 25 .…”

Lactobacillus brevis BGZLS10-17 and Lb. plantarum BGPKM22 Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory Effect by Attenuation of NF-κB and MAPK Signaling in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

“…Western Balkan countries (WBCs) have a long and rich experience in the production of artisanal dairy products, known for their diversity of LAB species and strains, with highly diverse health-promoting properties related to certain pathological conditions, e.g., diabetes, inflammatory pain, gut–brain axis-related diseases, aging, etc. [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. However, up to now, the molecular mechanisms implicated in the effects of probiotics in respiratory epithelial cells have not been investigated though these species represent common members of healthy human lungs.…”

Safety and efficacy of host-associated Latilactobacillus curvatus strains for potential probiotic applications in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

“…Probiotics are a promising approach to improve salmon weight gain and disease resistance, offering potential solutions for the two major challenges in aquaculture. Lactobacillus, rst bacteriologically described in 1901 (14), is a popular probiotic candidate genus of lactic acid bacteria with a long history of safe use (15,16), and many studies have shown their e cacy in modulating terrestrial host immune systems (17)(18)(19)(20). They dominate the intestine of healthy sh (21,22) and favorably modulate sh gut microbiome (22), suggesting that they may be adapted for survival in the sh gut environment.…”

“…They dominate the intestine of healthy sh (21,22) and favorably modulate sh gut microbiome (22), suggesting that they may be adapted for survival in the sh gut environment. Lactobacilli have been repeatedly demonstrated to improve sh disease resistance via immunostimulation (17)(18)(19)(20). This effect likely stems from a combination of mechanisms such as humoral immune modulation (21,22), bacteriocin production (23), and lymphocyte modulation (24,25).…”