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Spores from two distinct colony types of the strain Bacillus subtilis PB6 substantiate anti-inflammatory probiotic
Benoît Foligné1, Eric Peys, Jan Vandenkerckhove
1Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lactic Acid Bacteria & Mucosal Immunity, Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, 1, rue du Pr Calmette, BP 245, F-59019 Lille, France.
Background & Aims:
Reducing symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) by dietary supplements represents more than ever an attractive clinical approach. Since the use of spore forming bacteria may offer interesting advantages, the aim of the study was to address the anti-inflammatory potential of Bacillus >subtilis strain PB6 (ATCC - PTA 6737) spores, provided as a powder preparation.
Methods:
The immunomodulatory potential of strain PB6 was first characterized in vitro on human immunocompetent cells for both the commercial spore powder (Anaban™) and two phenotypic variants of the vegetative form. Assessment of the in vivo anti-inflammatory capacity of the standard spore powder and a variant spore powder preparation was performed using a mouse model of acute, TNBS-induced colitis. Performance was compared with the drug prednisolone, and was based on blinded macroscopic and histological scores, blood inflammatory markers and measurements of infiltration of mucosal neutrophils.
Results:
Strain PB6 induced substantial levels of IL-10 but very low levels of IL-12, TNFα and IFNγ on human PBMC. Both spore powders prevented colitis as shown by significant reductions of near all inflammatory read-outs.
Conclusion:
B. subtilis strain PB6, provided as a preparation of spores, shows pre-clinical anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting further evaluation in a clinical intervention trial, e.g. with IBD type patients.
Insights
Bacillus subtilis strain PB6 spores demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models. This suggests potential for treating inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in future human trials.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Dietary supplements are an attractive approach for managing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
- Spore-forming bacteria offer unique advantages for therapeutic applications.
- Bacillus subtilis strain PB6 spores were investigated for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of Bacillus subtilis strain PB6 spores.
- To characterize the immunomodulatory effects of B. subtilis strain PB6 in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- In vitro immunomodulatory assessment on human immunocompetent cells.
- In vivo evaluation using a TNBS-induced colitis mouse model.
- Comparison with prednisolone, assessing macroscopic, histological, and blood inflammatory markers.
Main Results:
- B. subtilis strain PB6 induced high IL-10 and low IL-12, TNFα, and IFNγ levels in vitro.
- Both spore preparations significantly reduced inflammatory markers in a mouse colitis model.
- The efficacy was comparable to the drug prednisolone.
Conclusions:
- Bacillus subtilis strain PB6 spores exhibit pre-clinical anti-inflammatory effects.
- Further clinical trials are warranted to evaluate its efficacy in patients with IBD.
- Spore preparations of B. subtilis strain PB6 show promise as a therapeutic agent.
