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Collagen (Cn-I) binding by gut lactobacilli
I Styriak1, V Demecková, R Nemcová
1Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Kosice, Slovakia.
Berliner Und Munchener Tierarztliche Wochenschrift
|September 16, 1999
Summary
Certain gut Lactobacillus strains can bind type I collagen (Cn-I), a crucial step for probiotic development. This binding ability, influenced by cultivation methods, suggests potential for preventing pathogen colonization in the gut.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Probiotics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Probiotic products rely on specific microbial strains with beneficial properties.
- Lactobacillus strains are widely used in probiotics, but their interaction with host tissues needs further investigation.
- Type I collagen (Cn-I) is a major structural protein in host tissues, potentially serving as a colonization niche for microbes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ability of selected gut Lactobacillus strains to bind type I collagen (Cn-I).
- To evaluate the influence of cultivation medium on Cn-I binding by Lactobacillus strains.
- To assess the potential of these strains to antagonize pathogen colonization by competing for collagen-binding sites.
Main Methods:
- Microtitre plate assay using immobilized Cn-I to quantify binding by different Lactobacillus strains.
- Comparison of Cn-I binding by strains grown on solid medium (MRS agar) versus liquid medium (MRS broth).
- Specificity testing of Cn-I binding using preincubation with the protein and inhibition assays with specific molecules (fucoidan, heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid).
Main Results:
- Three gut Lactobacillus strains from piglets and one collection strain (Lactobacillus plantarum LHI 10) demonstrated significant Cn-I binding.
- Cultivation medium significantly influenced Cn-I binding; solid medium favored binding in some strains (L. casei L 81, L. plantarum LHI 10), while broth favored others (L. plantarum L 5, L. fermentum L 435).
- Cn-I binding was specific and could be significantly reduced by fucoidan, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid in Lactobacillus plantarum L 5.
Conclusions:
- Selected piglet gut lactobacilli possess the ability to bind type I collagen.
- The binding of Cn-I by these Lactobacillus strains suggests a mechanism for antagonizing enteropathogen colonization.
- These findings support the potential use of these specific Lactobacillus strains in probiotic formulations for gut health.