Bifidobacterium infantis attenuates colitis by regulating T cell subset responses.
- 2014
- World Journal of Gastroenterology 20(48)
- L. Zuo
- Kai-Tao Yuan
- Li Yu
- Qing-Hong Meng
- P. C. Chung
- Ding-hua Yang
- PubMed: 25561798
- DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i48.18316
Abstract
Aim: to investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium infantis (B. infantis) on the T cell subsets and in attenuating the severity of experimental colitis in mice.
Methods: Normal BALB/c mice were fed different doses of B. infantis for 3 wk, and T cell subsets and related cytokine profiles in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were detected by flow cytometry and real-time RT-PCR. Colitis was induced by administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in mice. Before colitis induction, mice were fed high dose B. infantis for 3 wk. Cytokine profiles in MLNs and histological changes of colonic tissue were examined 6 d after colitis induction.
Results: No significant change in cytokine profiles was observed in normal mice fed low dose B. infantis. However, Th1-related cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12p40), Th17-related transcription factor and cytokines (RORγt, IL-21, IL-23), regulatory T cell (Treg)-related transcription factor and cytokines (Foxp3, IL-10) were increased in normal mice fed high dose B. infantis. Furthermore, flow cytometry assay showed B. infantis increased the numbers of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and Th17 cells in MLNs. Colitis was successfully induced by TNBS in mice, characterized by colonic inflammation and aberrant Th1 and Th17 responses. Feeding high dose B. infantis for 3 wk before colitis induction decreased the inflammatory cell infiltration and goblet cell depletion and restored the intestinal epithelium. In addition, B. infantis feeding reduced Th1-related cytokines (T-bet, IL-2 and IFN-γ) and Th17-related cytokines (IL-12p40, RORγt, IL-17A, IL-21 and IL-23), and increased Treg-related molecules (Foxp3, IL-10 and TGF-β) in colitis mice.
Conclusion: B. infantis effectively attenuates TNBS-induced colitis by decreasing Th1 and Th17 responses and increasing Foxp3(+) Treg response in the colonic mucosa.
Keywords: Bifidobacterium; Colitis; Cytokines; Regulatory T cells; Th17.
Research Insights
Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
---|---|---|---|
Bifidobacterium infantis | Increased Regulatory T-Cells | Beneficial | Large |
Bifidobacterium infantis | Reduced Immune Cell Infiltration | Beneficial | Large |
Bifidobacterium infantis MAK22B04I | Reduced Inflammatory Cytokines | Beneficial | Large |
Bifidobacterium infantis MAK22B04I | Reduced Severity of Acute Colitis | Beneficial | Large |