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Postbiotic Activities of Bifidobacterium adolescentis: Impacts on Viability, Structural Integrity, and Cell Death
María Hernández1, Martin Sieger1, Alfonso Barreto2
1Laboratorio de Virología, Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia.
Insights
Bifidobacterium adolescentis-secreted proteins (BaSP) show anti-rotaviral activity and strengthen intestinal defenses. This study confirms BaSP
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Acute diarrheal disease (ADD) from rotavirus (RV) is a major threat to children under five.
- No specific antiviral drugs currently exist for RV infections.
- Previous research indicated anti-rotaviral properties in Bifidobacterium adolescentis metabolites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of Bifidobacterium adolescentis-secreted proteins (BaSP) on the human intestinal C2BBe1 cell line.
- To confirm the anti-rotaviral activity of BaSP.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of BaSP in maintaining intestinal barrier function.
Main Methods:
- BaSP production and anti-rotaviral activity confirmed via infectious foci counting.
- C2BBe1 cells treated with BaSP (≤250 µg/mL) for 72 hours.
- Assessed cell viability (MTT assay), monolayer integrity (TEER), cytoskeleton/tight junctions (confocal microscopy), and apoptosis/necrosis markers.
Main Results:
- BaSP demonstrated no adverse effects on C2BBe1 cell viability or integrity.
- BaSP effectively inhibited rotavirus infectivity in the intestinal cell line.
- No significant induction of apoptosis or necrosis was observed.
Conclusions:
- BaSP is a safe and effective agent against rotavirus infection in vitro.
- BaSP has the potential to enhance intestinal defense mechanisms.
- BaSP may offer a novel therapeutic strategy against viral and bacterial infections affecting the gut barrier.
Abstract:
Acute diarrheal disease (ADD) caused by rotavirus (RV) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age. Currently, there are no specific drugs for the treatment of RV infections. Previously, we reported the anti-rotaviral activity of the protein metabolites derived from Bifidobacterium adolescentis. In this study, our aim was to assess the impact of B. adolescentis-secreted proteins (BaSP), with anti-rotaviral activity on the human intestinal C2BBe1 cell line. We initiated the production of BaSP and subsequently confirmed its anti-rotaviral activity by counting the infectious foci using immunocytochemistry. We then exposed the C2BBe1 cells to various concentrations of BaSP (≤250 µg/mL) for 72 h. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, cell monolayer integrity was monitored through transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and cytoskeleton architecture and tight junctions (TJs) were examined using confocal microscopy with F-actin and occludin staining. Finally, we utilized a commercial kit to detect markers of apoptosis and necrosis after 24 h of treatment. The results demonstrated that BaSP does not have adverse effects on C2BBe1 cells. These findings confirm that BaSP inhibits rotavirus infectivity and has the potential to strengthen intestinal defense against viral and bacterial infections via the paracellular route.
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