Chitooligosaccharides enhance T-cell immunity via supporting the dominant growth of β-1,4-glycosidase-expressing Lactobacillus spp. in mice.

2026-07
Biochimica et biophysica acta. General subjects 1870(7)

PubMed: 41985791
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2026.130952

Study Design

Population: BALB/c mice
Methods: BALB/c mice were gavaged with 100 μL of COSs at a concentration of 0.1 g/mL for 60 days, and the intestinal microbiota and immune cells of the mouse spleen were detected.

Chitooligosaccharides (COSs) are hydrolysates of chitosan polymers. COSs have many biological functions, especially in immune activation. Gut microbiota is closely related to the decomposition of natural glycans in the human intestine and plays a pivotal role in regulating the immune system. But the role and mechanism of intestinal microbiota in mediating the effects of COSs on the immune system remain unclear. In this study, BALB/c mice were gavaged with 100 μL of COSs at a concentration of 0.1 g/mL for 60 days, and the intestinal microbiota and immune cells of the mouse spleen were detected. Administration of COSs altered the gut microbiota in mice, especially promoting the abundance of Lactobacillus spp., which was consistent with the observation in the fecal sample from volunteers who received COSs. The proportion of CD3⁺ T cells in the spleen was improved after intragastric administration of COSs. COSs also promoted the growth of Lactobacillus spp., such as L. brevis and L. gasseri, in a dose-dependent manner, and the supernatant from co-cultured medium promoted the proliferation of Jurkat cells (human T cell leukemia). The expression of β-1,4-glycosidase significantly contributed to the utilization of COSs by these Lactobacillus strains. In addition, we utilize protein sequencing and structure analysis to examine the differences of β-1,4-glycosidase among Lactobacillus strains. Taken together, our results suggested that COSs can promote T cell proliferation by supporting the growth of intestinal Lactobacillus spp. in mice, which further revealed the immuno-regulation mechanism of COSs in the human body and its application prospects in health promotion.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus	—	Enhanced T-Cell Response	Beneficial	Moderate	View source The proportion of CD3+ T cells in the spleen was improved after intragastric administration of COSs... our results suggested that COSs can promote T cell proliferation by supporting the growth of intestinal Lactobacillus spp. in mice
Lactobacillus	—	Increased Abundance of Lactobacillus	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Administration of COSs altered the gut microbiota in mice, especially promoting the abundance of Lactobacillus spp.