Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
06:38
Enrichment of Native and Recombinant Extracellular Vesicles of Mycobacteria
Published on: December 8, 2023
1.7K
Lactobacillus-derived extracellular vesicles enhance host immune responses against vancomycin-resistant enterococci
1Division of Infectious Diseases, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. ming.li@brown.edu.
BMC Microbiology
|March 15, 2017
Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from Lactobacillus plantarum protect against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) infection by boosting host defense genes. This suggests probiotic EVs offer a novel therapeutic strategy for combating antimicrobial resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Probiotic bacteria modulate host immunity against pathogens.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized as key mediators in host-pathogen interactions.
- This study investigates the role of Lactobacillus plantarum-derived EVs in host defense against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE).
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the protective role of L. plantarum-derived EVs against VRE infection.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying EV-mediated protection.
- To assess the potential of using probiotic-derived EVs as a therapeutic approach against antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Caenorhabditis elegans and human Caco-2 cells as model systems.
- Exposed nematodes to VRE and treated with L. plantarum-derived EVs (LDEVs).
- Analyzed gene expression changes in host defense genes (cpr-1, clec-60) in C. elegans and their human homologs (CTSB, REG3G) in Caco-2 cells.
Main Results:
- LDEVs significantly protected C. elegans against VRE infection.
- LDEV treatment upregulated host defense genes cpr-1 and clec-60 in C. elegans.
- LDEVs were internalized by human Caco-2 cells, leading to upregulation of CTSB and REG3G.
Conclusions:
- L. plantarum-derived EVs enhance host defense gene expression and confer protection against VRE.
- Probiotic-derived EVs represent a promising alternative to whole probiotics for treating infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens like VRE.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
3.2K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
3.2K
01:36Overview of Exosomes
3.8K
Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
3.8K
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
1.3K
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
1.3K
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
3.2K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
3.2K
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
1.7K
Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
1.7K
01:26Bacterial Translocation and Protein Secretion
872
Bacterial protein secretion involves translocation systems to ensure proteins reach their designated locations, including the plasma membrane, periplasm, outer membrane, or the external environment. These translocation systems are vital for bacterial physiology, supporting processes like membrane assembly, enzymatic activity in the periplasm, and interactions with the external environment. The division of labor between Sec and Tat pathways ensures efficiency in handling proteins with diverse...
872