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Association of Lactobacillus spp. with Peyer's patches in mice
1School of Microbiology and Immunology, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Sydney, Australia, 2052.
Abstract:
Sixteen strains of Lactobacillus isolated from humans, mice, and food products were screened for their capacity to associate with Peyer's patches in mice. In preliminary experiments, in vitro binding to tissue pieces was assessed by scanning electron microscopy, and it was demonstrated qualitatively that 5 of the 16 strains showed some affinity for the Peyer's patches, irrespective of their association with the nonlymphoid intestinal tissue. Lactobacillus fermentum KLD was selected for further study, since, in addition to its intrinsically high adhesion rate, this organism was found to exhibit a preferential binding to the follicle-associated epithelium of the Peyer's patches compared with its level of binding to the mucus-secreting regions of the small intestine. Quantitative assessment of scanning electron micrographs of tissue sections which had been incubated with L. fermentum KLD or a nonbinding control strain, Lactobacillus delbruckii subsp. bulgaricus, supported these observations, since a marked difference in adhesion was noted (P < 0.05). This preferential association of strain KLD with the Peyer's patches was also confirmed with radiolabeled lactobacilli incubated with intestinal tissue in the in vitro adhesion assay. Direct recovery of L. fermentum KLD from washed tissue following oral dosing of mice revealed a distinct association (P < 0.05) between this organism and the Peyer's patch tissue. In contrast, L. delbruckii subsp. bulgaricus showed negligible binding to both tissue types in both in vitro and in vivo adhesion assays. It was concluded that L. fermentum KLD bound preferentially to Peyer's patches of BALB/c mice.
Insights
Lactobacillus fermentum KLD preferentially binds to Peyer's patches in mice. This probiotic strain shows significant association with these immune tissues, unlike other Lactobacillus strains tested.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Peyer's patches are crucial inductive sites for gut immunity.
- Lactobacillus species are known probiotics with potential immunomodulatory effects.
- Understanding bacterial adhesion to Peyer's patches is key for developing targeted probiotics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen Lactobacillus strains for their ability to associate with mouse Peyer's patches.
- To investigate the preferential binding of Lactobacillus fermentum KLD to Peyer's patches.
- To confirm the in vivo and in vitro association of L. fermentum KLD with Peyer's patches.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 16 Lactobacillus strains for Peyer's patch affinity.
- In vitro adhesion assays using scanning electron microscopy and radiolabeled bacteria.
- In vivo oral dosing of mice and direct recovery of bacteria from Peyer's patches.
- Comparison with a non-binding control strain, Lactobacillus delbruckii subsp. bulgaricus.
Main Results:
- Five of 16 Lactobacillus strains showed affinity for Peyer's patches.
- Lactobacillus fermentum KLD exhibited preferential binding to Peyer's patch follicle-associated epithelium.
- Quantitative assays confirmed significant in vitro and in vivo association of L. fermentum KLD with Peyer's patches (P < 0.05).
- Lactobacillus delbruckii subsp. bulgaricus showed negligible binding.
Conclusions:
- Lactobacillus fermentum KLD demonstrates a specific and preferential association with Peyer's patches in mice.
- This preferential binding suggests potential for targeted delivery of L. fermentum KLD to gut-associated lymphoid tissues.
- Further research into L. fermentum KLD's immunomodulatory effects in the context of Peyer's patch interaction is warranted.