Lactobacillus reuteri Surface Mucus Adhesins Upregulate Inflammatory Responses Through Interactions With Innate...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Lactobacillus reuteri is a gut symbiont with strain-specific properties.
• Mucus adhesins like CmbA and MUB play roles in bacterial interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the function of CmbA and MUB in L. reuteri interactions with human dendritic cells.
• Determine the immunomodulatory effects of these adhesins.

Main Methods:

• Co-incubation of L. reuteri strains (ATCC PTA 6475, ATCC 53608) with monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs).
• Measurement of cytokine production (IL-10, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IFNγ).
• Cell reporter assays and atomic force spectroscopy to study MUB-CLR interactions.

Main Results:

• Mucus adhesins enhanced L. reuteri interaction and phagocytosis by moDCs.
• Adhesins modulated anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
• L. reuteri strains induced Th1 and Th17 immune responses.
• MUB activated moDCs, induced Th1 responses via C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), including DC-SIGN and Dectin-2.

Conclusions:

• Mucus adhesins on L. reuteri contribute to immune modulation in the gut.
• MUB interaction with CLRs influences dendritic cell function and promotes Th1 immunity.