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Published on: December 3, 2019
Probiotic and postbiotic interference exhibit anti-adhesion effects against clinical methicillin-resistant
Basavaprabhu Haranahalli Nataraj1, Chette Ramesh2, Rashmi Hogarehalli Mallappa1
1Molecular Biology Unit, Dairy Microbiology Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, 132001, Haryana, India; Dairy Bacteriology Section, Southern Regional Station, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Adugodi, 560030, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Abstract:
This study investigates the dynamics of MRSA de-colonization on HT-29 cell line using effective strategies like probiotics and postbiotics. Exploring novel alternatives to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens is an urgent need. Harnessing the antagonistic properties of live probiotics and their heat-killed preparations (postbiotics) to curb the growth of AMR pathogens represents a promising and essential area of contemporary research. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-adhesion properties of indigenous probiotics (Limosilactobacillus fermentum Lf1 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A5), as well as standard reference strains (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM), and their heat-killed postbiotic preparations against clinical MRSA isolates (MRSA12/206 and 5/255) on the HT-29 cell line. ATR-FTIR-based functional group characterization of the postbiotic preparations revealed the heat-induced alterations in cell surface molecules and architecture. Both probiotic and postbiotic preparations were non-cytotoxic to HT-29 cells. The probiotic intervention, via protective, competitive, and displacement modes, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the adhesion of MRSA isolates to HT-29 cells, with the protective and competitive modes showing greater efficacy. In contrast, heat-killed probiotics demonstrated notable anti-MRSA adhesion effects across all three modes (protective, competitive, and displacement). In comparison, heat-killed cells exhibited a superior anti-adhesion capability compared to live cells, likely due to the enhanced accessibility of microbe-associated molecular patterns and adhesion sites following heat treatment. Furthermore, co-treatment of MRSA with probiotic strains substantially (p < 0.05) reduced FITC-dextran transflux across the HT-29 cell monolayer. In conclusion, this study highlights the superior anti-adhesion efficacy of heat-killed postbiotics over live probiotic cells against MRSA isolates. It underscores the further need for pre-clinical and in-vivo investigations to validate the anti-MRSA colonization and gut barrier prophylactic or therapeutic potential of the investigated probiotics and postbiotics. Thus, the present study documents and supports the alternative to antibiotics potential of probiotics and postbiotics.
Insights
Heat-killed probiotics (postbiotics) show superior anti-adhesion effects against antibiotic-resistant bacteria (MRSA) compared to live probiotics on gut cells. This research supports probiotics and postbiotics as potential alternatives to antibiotics for combating infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance, particularly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), poses a significant global health threat.
- Novel strategies are urgently needed to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
- Probiotics and postbiotics offer promising avenues for controlling pathogen growth and infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-adhesion properties of specific probiotic strains and their heat-killed preparations (postbiotics) against clinical MRSA isolates on the HT-29 cell line.
- To compare the efficacy of live probiotics versus postbiotics in preventing MRSA adhesion.
- To assess the impact of probiotic interventions on gut barrier integrity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized indigenous (Limosilactobacillus fermentum Lf1, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A5) and reference (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM) probiotic strains and their heat-killed postbiotic preparations.
- Tested anti-adhesion efficacy against clinical MRSA isolates (MRSA12/206, 5/255) on the HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cell line.
- Employed ATR-FTIR for postbiotic characterization and FITC-dextran assay to evaluate gut barrier function.
Main Results:
- Both live probiotics and postbiotics demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) reduction in MRSA adhesion to HT-29 cells via protective, competitive, and displacement mechanisms.
- Postbiotics exhibited superior anti-adhesion efficacy compared to live probiotics, attributed to enhanced accessibility of microbe-associated molecular patterns.
- Probiotic co-treatment significantly reduced FITC-dextran transflux, indicating improved gut barrier function.
Conclusions:
- Heat-killed probiotics (postbiotics) are more effective than live probiotics in preventing MRSA adhesion to intestinal cells.
- Probiotics and postbiotics show potential as alternatives to antibiotics for managing MRSA colonization and supporting gut health.
- Further pre-clinical and in-vivo studies are warranted to validate the therapeutic potential of these interventions.
