Neonatal supplementation of processed supernatant from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG improves allergic airway inflammation in mice later in life

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • H. Harb - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • E. A.F. van Tol - , Reckitt Benckiser (Author)
  • H. Heine - , Research Center Borstel - Leibniz Lung Center (Author)
  • M. Braaksma - , Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (Author)
  • G. Gross - , Reckitt Benckiser (Author)
  • K. Overkamp - , Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (Author)
  • M. Hennen - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • M. Alrifai - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • M. L. Conrad - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • H. Renz - , University of Marburg (Author)
  • H. Garn - , University of Marburg (Author)

Abstract

Background: Oral supplementation with probiotic bacteria can protect against the development of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate potential immunomodulatory and allergy-protective effects of processed Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-derived supernatants early in life in neonatal mice. Methods: In vitro, RAW264.7 mouse macrophages were stimulated with viable LGG, LGG-derived supernatants, prepared from different growth phases, and different size fractions thereof, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production was analysed. Supernatant fractions were also treated with protease, DNAse or carbohydrate-digesting enzymes to define the nature of immunomodulatory components. In vivo, neonatal Balb/c mice were orally supplemented with differentially processed LGG supernatants. Starting at 4 weeks of age, a protocol of ovalbumin-induced acute allergic airway inflammation was applied and protective effects of processed LGG supernatants were assessed. Results: Incubation of RAW264.7 cells with LGG-derived supernatants significantly increased TNFα and IL-10 production. These effects were not restricted to a particular molecular size fraction. Treatment with protease, but not with DNAse or carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, completely abolished the immunomodulatory activities. Incubation of TLR/NOD-transfected cells with LGG-derived supernatants revealed that recognition and signalling of bioactive components is mediated by TLR2 and NOD2. In vivo supplementation of newborn mice with processed LGG-derived supernatants resulted in pronounced protective effects on the allergic inflammatory response as reflected by reduced eosinophil numbers, modified T helper cell cytokine production, significantly less lung inflammation and reduced goblet cell numbers in comparison with sham-treated controls. Conclusion: LGG-derived supernatants exert immunomodulatory activities, and neonatal administration of specifically processed supernatants may provide an alternative to viable probiotics in reducing allergic inflammatory responses.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)353-364
Number of pages12
JournalClinical and experimental allergy
Volume43
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2013
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 23414544
ORCID /0000-0001-8218-2538/work/173988807

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Asthma, LGG, Neonatal animal model, Prevention, Soluble factors