Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 does not protect interleukin-10 knock-out mice from chronic gut inflammation

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 is known to reduce diarrhea incidence and duration.
• The potential of this probiotic strain to mitigate chronic gut inflammation and its underlying mechanisms remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 in reducing chronic gut inflammation.
• To identify potential mechanisms involved in the probiotic effects of this strain in a mouse model.

Main Methods:

• Interleukin-10-deficient mice, which spontaneously develop gut inflammation, were fed a diet containing NCIMB 10415 for 3, 8, and 24 weeks.
• Control groups received an identical diet without the probiotic strain.
• Evaluations included inflammation scores, intestinal barrier function, microbiota composition, and host immune responses (interferon gamma, interferon gamma-induced protein 10).

Main Results:

• A temporary reduction in caecal inflammation was observed after 3 weeks of NCIMB 10415 administration, but not in the colon or at later time points.
• Higher expression of interferon gamma and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 was noted at 3 and 24 weeks, but not at 8 weeks.
• A low abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila at 8 weeks correlated with reduced caecal inflammation and improved paracellular permeability compared to other time points.

Conclusions:

• Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 did not demonstrate efficacy in reducing chronic gut inflammation in the interleukin-10-deficient mouse model.
• The study highlights a potential interaction between A. muciniphila, NCIMB 10415, and the host immune system that warrants further investigation.