Human mucosal in vivo transcriptome responses to three lactobacilli indicate how probiotics may modulate human...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Human Physiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Probiotic bacteria, common in the human microbiota, are believed to offer health benefits.
• The molecular mechanisms by which probiotics modulate intestinal function remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vivo mucosal responses of healthy adults to specific probiotic strains.
• To elucidate the gene-regulatory networks and pathways induced by probiotics in the human intestinal mucosa.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over intervention study design.
• Transcriptome analysis of the proximal small intestine mucosa in healthy volunteers.
• Analysis of gene-regulatory networks and pathways affected by probiotic intervention.

Main Results:

• Probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, and L. rhamnosus induced distinct differential gene-regulatory networks in the human mucosa.
• These networks regulate fundamental mucosal processes.
• The observed transcriptional responses showed similarities to those induced by bioactive molecules and drugs.

Conclusions:

• The human intestinal mucosa perceives different probiotic strains through specific transcriptional responses.
• This study provides a foundation for rationally designed clinical applications of probiotics.
• Understanding these molecular interactions can lead to targeted probiotic therapies.