Different probiotic strains alter human cord blood monocyte responses

Area of Science:

• Neonatal immunology
• Microbiology
• Probiotic research

Background:

• Probiotics are used in neonatology, primarily to prevent necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).
• The precise mechanisms of probiotic action, especially on neonatal immune cells, remain largely unknown.
• Understanding probiotic effects on neonatal immune cells is crucial for optimizing their use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro effects of specific probiotic strains on neonatal monocyte function.
• To elucidate the impact of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA), and Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) on neonatal immune cells.
• To explore potential mechanisms of probiotic-mediated immune modulation in newborns.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an in vitro model with mononuclear cells isolated from cord blood.
• Stimulated neonatal monocytes with three distinct probiotic strains: LR, LA, and BB.
• Analyzed changes in monocyte activation markers, cytokine production, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.

Main Results:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR) stimulation induced proinflammatory effects in neonatal monocytes, including increased surface molecule expression and cytokine production.
• LR also enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by neonatal monocytes.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) and Bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) also induced cytokine production, with BB showing minimal effects.

Conclusions:

• Probiotics, particularly LR, can enhance the defense functions of neonatal monocytes.
• This probiotic-induced proinflammatory response may improve a newborn's capacity to combat infections.
• The findings suggest a novel mechanism for probiotic immunomodulation in neonates.