Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
09:12

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Published on: June 15, 2018

Differential activation of eosinophils by 'probiotic' Bifidobacterium bifidum and 'pathogenic' Clostridium difficile

Koa Hosoki1, Akiko Nakamura, Mizuho Nagao

  • 1Institute for Clinical Research, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Japan.

International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|June 5, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) reduces eosinophil degranulation compared to pathogenic Clostridium difficile (CD). This suggests a mechanism for how probiotics may alleviate inflammatory diseases involving eosinophils.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Probiotics may alleviate inflammatory and allergic diseases, but mechanisms involving eosinophils are unclear.
  • Eosinophils are key effector cells in inflammatory diseases.
  • Pathogenic bacteria can negatively impact immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) and pathogenic Clostridium difficile (CD) on human eosinophil function.
  • To elucidate the role of eosinophils in the interaction between probiotics and pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Human peripheral eosinophils were cultured with heat-killed BB or CD.
  • Bacterial ingestion by eosinophils was visualized using confocal microscopy.
  • Superoxide generation and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) release were measured.

Main Results:

  • Both BB and CD were ingested by eosinophils, inducing minimal superoxide generation.
  • CD significantly increased EDN release compared to BB.
  • Bacterial-induced EDN release was calcium-dependent and enhanced by GM-CSF for CD but not BB.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic BB may exert beneficial effects by reducing eosinophil degranulation.
  • The decreased EDN release by BB suggests a potential anti-inflammatory mechanism in diseases involving eosinophils.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing probiotic-based therapies for inflammatory conditions.

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