Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Visualization of IL-22-expressing Lymphocytes Using Reporter Mice
Published on: January 25, 2017
Second-generation Probiotics Producing IL-22 Increase Survival of Mice After Total Body Irradiation
Xichen Zhang1, Renee Fisher1, Wen Hou1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A.
Background/Aim:
Intestinal damage induced by total body irradiation (TBI) reduces leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5)-expressing stem cells, goblet, and Paneth cells, breaching the epithelial lining, and facilitating bacterial translocation, sepsis, and death.
Materials And Methods:
Survival was measured after TBI in animals that received wild-type or recombinant bacteria producing interleukin-22 (IL-22). Changes in survival due to microbially delivered IL-22 were measured. Lactobacillus reuteri producing IL-22, or Escherichia coli-IL-22 were compared to determine which delivery system is better.
Results:
C57BL/6 mice receiving IL-22 probiotics at 24 h after 9.25 Gy TBI, demonstrated green fluorescent protein-positive bacteria in the intestine, doubled the number of Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells, and increased 30-day survival. Bacteria were localized to the jejunum, ileum, and colon.
Conclusion:
Second-generation probiotics appear to be valuable for mitigation of TBI, and radiation protection during therapeutic total abdominal irradiation.
