Related Experiment Videos
Proinflammatory effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus, a bacterium used as hay preservative
C Duchaine1, E Israël-Assayag, M Fournier
1Unité de Récherche, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Abstract:
Bacterial cultures, such as Pediococcus pentosaceus, are used to treat hay with the objective of preventing hay heating and moulding, and thus, the development of the microbial growth which causes farmer's lung. The aim of this study was to investigate whether such bacterial cultures have the potential to induce a pulmonary inflammatory response. Mice were instilled 3 days week-1 for 3 weeks with either saline or nonviable preparations of P. pentosaceus, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, Lactococcus lactis (control bacteria) or with the combinations of S. rectivirgula and P. pentosaceus. P. pentosaceus induced a significant inflammatory response in the lung which was similar to that produced by S. rectivirgula. L. lactis produced a response of a lower intensity. The total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage were: S. rectivirgula: 6.4 x 10(5) cells.mL-1; P. pentosaceus: 4.3 x 10(5) cells.mL-1; S. rectivirgula + P. pentosaceus: 5.4 x 10(5) cells.mL-1, L. lactis: 6.8 x 10(5) cells.mL-1 and saline group 3.7 x 10(4) cells.mL-1. The lung index was higher in S. rectivirgula+P. pentosaceus and P. pentosaceus groups than in S. rectivirgula, L. lactis and saline groups. The quantity of specific immunoglobulin G and A (IgG and IgA) to P. pentosaceus and L. lactis levels (in the blood and/or lavage fluid) were similar to those against S. rectivirgula. In mice, P. pentosaceus has the potential to induce a similar inflammatory response in the lung as S. rectivirgula, which is the most common antigen responsible for farmer's lung disease in Quebec. Further studies are needed to verify whether farmers can develop farmer's lung or other lung responses to this new potential antigen.
Insights
Pediococcus pentosaceus, used in hay treatment, can cause lung inflammation similar to Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, a known cause of farmer's lung. Further research is needed to assess farmer risk from this bacterial culture.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Bacterial cultures like Pediococcus pentosaceus are used to prevent hay heating and mold growth.
- Microbial growth in hay is linked to farmer's lung, a serious respiratory condition.
- The potential for P. pentosaceus to induce pulmonary inflammation is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of bacterial cultures, specifically Pediococcus pentosaceus, to induce pulmonary inflammatory responses.
- To compare the inflammatory potential of P. pentosaceus with Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula and Lactococcus lactis in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to nonviable preparations of P. pentosaceus, S. rectivirgula, L. lactis, or combinations thereof, along with a saline control.
- Exposure was administered three times weekly for three weeks.
- Pulmonary inflammation was assessed by analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell counts, lung index, and specific immunoglobulin levels (IgG and IgA).
Main Results:
- P. pentosaceus induced a significant pulmonary inflammatory response in mice, comparable to that caused by S. rectivirgula.
- The inflammatory response to P. pentosaceus was more pronounced than that observed with L. lactis.
- Elevated lung index and increased immune cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were noted in groups exposed to P. pentosaceus and S. rectivirgula.
Conclusions:
- Pediococcus pentosaceus has the potential to elicit a pulmonary inflammatory response in mice similar to Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula.
- S. rectivirgula is a primary antigen responsible for farmer's lung disease in Quebec.
- Further investigation is required to determine if P. pentosaceus can act as an antigen causing farmer's lung or other lung conditions in farmers.