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Updated: Aug 30, 2025
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Aerosol Inhalation of Heat-Killed Clostridium butyricum CGMCC0313-1 Alleviates Allergic Airway Inflammation in Mice
Laodong Li1,2, Qixiang Sun1, Huan Xiao3
1Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Ward, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021 Guangxi, China.
Abstract:
Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to beneficial microorganisms can reduce the risk of asthma, but the clinical use of live probiotics is controversial due to the risk of infection. As heat-killed probiotics can also exhibit immunomodulatory activity, this study is aimed at investigating whether heat-killed Clostridium butyricum (HKCB) CGMCC0313-1 could reduce allergic airway inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced mouse model. Mice received aerosol inhalation of HKCB, oral administration of HKCB, or oral administration of live Clostridium butyricum (CB) during sensitization. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell number, histology, and levels of the cytokines interferon-gamma and IL-4, the autophagy-related proteins LC3B, Beclin1, and p62, and members of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway were examined. Our results demonstrated that aerosol inhalation of HKCB, oral HKCB administration, and oral live CB administration alleviated allergic airway inflammation and mucus secretion in allergic mice. Aerosol inhalation of HKCB was the most effective method; it restored the Th1/Th2 balance, ameliorated autophagy, and inhibited the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in the lungs of allergic mice. Thus, aerosol inhalation of HKCB could be a promising strategy for the prevention or treatment of asthma.
Insights
Heat-killed Clostridium butyricum (HKCB) via inhalation effectively reduced allergic airway inflammation in mice. This promising strategy for asthma prevention and treatment targets immune balance and inflammation pathways.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Epidemiological studies suggest beneficial microorganisms reduce asthma risk.
- Live probiotics pose infection risks, limiting clinical use.
- Heat-killed probiotics (HKCB) may offer safer immunomodulatory benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate heat-killed Clostridium butyricum (HKCB) efficacy against allergic airway inflammation.
- Compare aerosol inhalation vs. oral administration of HKCB and live probiotics.
- Evaluate HKCB's impact on immune responses and inflammatory pathways in an asthma model.
Main Methods:
- Ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation mouse model.
- Administration of aerosolized HKCB, oral HKCB, or oral live Clostridium butyricum (CB).
- Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung histology, cytokine levels (IFN-γ, IL-4), autophagy markers (LC3B, Beclin1, p62), and NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
Main Results:
- All tested HKCB and live CB treatments alleviated allergic airway inflammation and mucus secretion.
- Aerosol inhalation of HKCB demonstrated the highest efficacy.
- HKCB inhalation restored Th1/Th2 balance, improved autophagy, and inhibited lung NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling.
Conclusions:
- Aerosol inhalation of HKCB is a potent strategy for mitigating allergic airway inflammation.
- HKCB offers a potentially safer alternative to live probiotics for asthma management.
- Targeting immune balance and inflammatory pathways with HKCB shows therapeutic promise for asthma.
