Saccharomyces boulardii Improves Intestinal Cell Restitution through Activation of the α2β1 Integrin Collagen Receptor

Abstract

Intestinal epithelial cell damage is frequently seen in the mucosal lesions of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Complete remission of these diseases requires both the cessation of inflammation and the migration of enterocytes to repair the damaged epithelium. Lyophilized Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb, Biocodex) is a nonpathogenic yeast widely used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, we determined whether Sb could accelerate enterocyte migration. Cell migration was determined in Sb force-fed C57BL6J mice and in an in vitro wound model. The impact on α2β1 integrin activity was assessed using adhesion assays and the analysis of α2β1 mediated signaling pathways both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that Sb secretes compounds that enhance the migration of enterocytes independently of cell proliferation. This enhanced migration was associated with the ability of Sb to favor cell-extracellular matrix interaction. Indeed, the yeast activates α2β1 integrin collagen receptors. This leads to an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of cytoplasmic molecules, including focal adhesion kinase and paxillin, involved in the integrin signaling pathway. These changes are associated with the reorganization of focal adhesion structures. In conclusion Sb secretes motogenic factors that enhance cell restitution through the dynamic regulation of α2β1 integrin activity. This could be of major importance in the development of novel therapies targeting diseases characterized by severe mucosal injury, such as inflammatory and infectious bowel diseases.

The Impact of Probiotics on the Gastrointestinal Physiology

“…Mogilner et al (2007) have reported that Lactobacillus GG' did not affect proliferation of enterocytes in rats with short bowel syndrome. Similarly, it has been reported that Saccharomyces boulardii did not affect proliferation of enterocytes (Canonici et al, 2011). However Ichikawa et al (1999) have suggested that Clostridium butyricum and Lactobacillus casei had tropic effect on digestive tract by enhancing proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells.…”

“…Probiotics both increase cells in intestinal mucosa and affect the migration of cells in crypt to the tip of villus. Canonici et al (2011) have revealed by in vitro and in vivo studies that Saccharomyces boulardii accelerates migration of intestinal enterocytes through crypt-villus axis by activating 2 1 integrin collagen receptor. Because of this effect, Saccharomyces boulardii accelerates the repair of intestinal epithelium damage.…”

Effects ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaeorboulardiiyeasts on acute stress induced intestinal dysmotility

“…Another study showed that treatment with S. boulardii helped to shorten the duration of acute diarrhea in children and to normalize the frequency and consistency of stool[7]. S. boulardii may also help in the treatment of bowel inflammation and infection by reversing mucosal injury[8]. …”

Microbial Sensing and Regulation of Mucosal Immune Responses by Intestinal Epithelial Cells

“…Culture supernatants of Saccharomyces boulardii, but not Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were shown to significantly improve the capacity of epithelial cells for wound healing and migration in vitro and in vivo via the activation of α2β1-integrin collagen receptors (Canonici et al, 2011).…”