Probiotic Lactobacillus Species Modulate Immune Responses During Vaginal Epithelial Cell Colonization.
- 2025-05-15
- The Journal of infectious diseases 232(3)
- PubMed: 40372982
- DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaf221
Study Design
- Population
- vaginal epithelial cells and primary human immune cells
- Methods
- in vitro vaginal epithelial infection models and stimulating primary human immune cells with supernatants from these vaginal epithelial cells
Background
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), mainly caused by Candida albicans, affects approximately 75% of women at least once during their lifetime. VVC is characterized by fungal colonization, which leads to inappropriate local hyperinflammation and symptoms. Although the trigger of C. albicans pathogenicity is often unknown, antibiotic use and vaginal dysbiosis are associated with increased susceptibility to VVC. A healthy vaginal microbiota is normally dominated by Lactobacillus species, which are believed to keep C. albicans infections at bay. Probiotic lactobacilli are, therefore, explored to treat symptomatic VVC episodes. However, the influence of probiotic lactobacilli on immune responses in the context of VVC remains underexplored.Methods
We investigated how probiotic lactobacilli influence vaginal epithelial and downstream inflammatory responses during C. albicans infection, using in vitro vaginal epithelial infection models and stimulating primary human immune cells with supernatants from these vaginal epithelial cells.Results
Our study shows that although most of the tested probiotic lactobacilli reduced C. albicans-induced vaginal epithelial cell damage, some species, particularly Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, elicited proinflammatory responses even in the absence of C. albicans. Probiotic lactobacilli also differentially modulated the C. albicans killing efficiency and production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils.Conclusions
Overall, vaginal epithelial and downstream immune responses during co-cultivation with C. albicans and probiotic lactobacilli were mostly driven by specific bacterial species and their interactions with the vaginal epithelium. Therefore, the induction of "controlled" inflammation by probiotic lactobacilli may be beneficial to improve neutrophil function; however, whether this alleviates immunopathology warrants further investigation.Research Insights
| Supplement | Dose | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus paracasei 431 | — | Altered Neutrophil Fungicidal Function | Neutral | Small | View sourceProbiotic lactobacilli also differentially modulated the C. albicans killing efficiency and production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils |
| Lactobacillus paracasei 431 | — | Increased Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Production | Harmful | Small | View sourcesome species, particularly Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, elicited proinflammatory responses even in the absence of C. albicans |
| Lactobacillus paracasei 431 | — | Reduced Vaginal Epithelial Cell Damage | Beneficial | Small | View sourcemost of the tested probiotic lactobacilli reduced C. albicans-induced vaginal epithelial cell damage |