The Beneficial Role of Probiotic Lactobacillus in Respiratory Diseases

Camptothecin multifunctional nanoparticles effectively achieve a balance between the efficacy of breast cancer treatment and the preservation of intestinal homeostasis

Camptothecin (CPT) exhibits potent antitumor activity; however, its clinical application is limited by significant gastrointestinal adverse effects (GAEs). Although the severity of GAEs associated with CPT derivatives has decreased, the incidence rate of these adverse effects has remained high. CPT multifunctional nanoparticles (PCRHNs) have the potential to increase the efficacy of CPT while reducing side effects in major target organs; however, the impact of PCRHNs on the GAEs from CPT remains uncertain. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of PCRHNs and different doses of CPT and examined their impacts on the intestinal barrier and the intestinal microbiota. We found that the therapeutic efficacy of PCRHNs + Laser treatment was superior to that of high-dose CPT, and PCRHNs + Laser treatment also provided greater benefits by helping maintain intestinal barrier integrity, intestinal microbiota diversity, and intestinal microbiota abundance. In summary, compared to high-dose CPT treatment, PCRHNs + Laser treatment can effectively balance therapeutic effects and GAEs. A high dose of CPT promotes the enrichment of the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia-Shigella, which may be attributed to diarrhea caused by CPT, thus leading to a reduction in microbial burden; additionally, Escherichia-Shigella rapidly grows and occupies niches previously occupied by other bacteria that are lost due to diarrhea. PCRHNs + Laser treatment increased the abundance of Lactobacillus (probiotics), possibly due to the photothermal effect of the PCRHNs. This effect increased catalase activity, thus facilitating the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen within tumors and increasing oxygen levels in the body, which is conducive to the growth of facultative anaerobic bacteria.

Bacterial live therapeutics for human diseases

The genomic revolution has fueled rapid progress in synthetic and systems biology, opening up new possibilities for using live biotherapeutic products (LBP) to treat, attenuate or prevent human diseases. Among LBP, bacteria-based therapies are particularly promising due to their ability to colonize diverse human tissues, modulate the immune system and secrete or deliver complex biological products. These bacterial LBP include engineered pathogenic species designed to target specific diseases, and microbiota species that promote microbial balance and immune system homeostasis, either through local administration or the gut-body axes. This review focuses on recent advancements in preclinical and clinical trials of bacteria-based LBP, highlighting both on-site and long-reaching strategies.

Efficacy of Probiotics Compared With Pharmacological Treatments for Maintenance Therapy for Functional Constipation in Children: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

CONTEXT

There has been an increase in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing probiotics with various maintenance therapies, such as polyethylene glycol, lactulose, and mineral oil, to treat functional constipation in children.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to compare probiotics with all other oral maintenance therapies for functional constipation in children and rank all treatments in terms of effectiveness in a network meta-analysis.

METHODS

RCTs were identified through systematically searching the MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, trial registries, and forward and backward citation searching. Within-study risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool, and confidence in the estimates was assessed using the CINeMA (Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis) framework. Random-effects network meta-analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Data were pooled from 41 and 29 RCTs for network meta-analysis of defecation frequency and treatment success, respectively. Probiotics did not significantly increase the number of bowel movements per week when compared with any conventional treatment or placebo. A combination of mineral oil and probiotics was the most effective treatment for increasing defecation frequency (mean difference: 3.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64, 5.63). The most effective treatments for increasing the risk of treatment success as compared with placebo were mineral oil (relative risk [RR]: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.53, 3.81) and a combined treatment of polyethylene glycol and lactulose (RR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.21, 4.97). Confidence in the estimates ranged from very low to moderate.

CONCLUSION

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that probiotics should be used as a standalone treatment for functional constipation in children. More high-quality studies are needed to evaluate different strains of probiotics and their potential benefit as an additional treatment component to conventional treatments. Mineral oil and polyethylene glycol were the most effective treatments to increase defecation frequency and treatment success rates and should remain the first line of treatment for children with functional constipation.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no.

CRD42022360977 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=360977).

Effect of mixed probiotics on pulmonary flora in patients with mechanical ventilation: an exploratory randomized intervention study

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to investigate the effect of mixed probiotics on the diversity of the pulmonary flora in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation by analysing the changes in lung microbes.

METHODS

24 adult critically ill patients who needed mechanical ventilation in our hospital were randomly divided into a probiotic group and a control group. Then, the probiotic group was given Live Combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus Capsules, Oral (Bifico) by nasal feeding within 24 h after mechanical ventilation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and venous blood were collected within 24 h after mechanical ventilation and on the 5th day after mechanical ventilation, and the treatment status of patients (mechanical ventilation time, 28-day survival), measured cytokine levels (IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A) and changes in pulmonary microorganisms were observed.

RESULTS

The microbial diversity of BALF samples decreased in the control group, and there was no significant difference in the probiotic group. Species difference analysis showed that among the three probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus) used for intervention, Lactobacillus caused significant differences in BALF in the control group. Clinical factor association analysis displayed significant associations with IL-17A levels in both blood and BALF.

CONCLUSION

Mechanical ventilation can cause a decline in pulmonary microbial diversity, which can be improved by administering mixed probiotics.

A clinical protocol for a German birth cohort study of the Maturation of Immunity Against respiratory viral Infections (MIAI)

Introduction

Respiratory viral infections (RVIs) are a major global contributor to morbidity and mortality. The susceptibility and outcome of RVIs are strongly age-dependent and show considerable inter-population differences, pointing to genetically and/or environmentally driven developmental variability. The factors determining the age-dependency and shaping the age-related changes of human anti-RVI immunity after birth are still elusive.

Methods

We are conducting a prospective birth cohort study aiming at identifying endogenous and environmental factors associated with the susceptibility to RVIs and their impact on cellular and humoral immune responses against the influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The MIAI birth cohort enrolls healthy, full-term neonates born at the University Hospital Würzburg, Germany, with follow-up at four defined time-points during the first year of life. At each study visit, clinical metadata including diet, lifestyle, sociodemographic information, and physical examinations, are collected along with extensive biomaterial sampling. Biomaterials are used to generate comprehensive, integrated multi-omics datasets including transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic, metabolomic and microbiomic methods.

Discussion

The results are expected to capture a holistic picture of the variability of immune trajectories with a focus on cellular and humoral key players involved in the defense of RVIs and the impact of host and environmental factors thereon. Thereby, MIAI aims at providing insights that allow unraveling molecular mechanisms that can be targeted to promote the development of competent anti-RVI immunity in early life and prevent severe RVIs.

Clinical trial registration

https://drks.de/search/de/trial/, identifier DRKS00034278.

Genetic Connectivity of Gut Microbiota and Oral Ulcers: A Mendelian Randomization Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship, if any, between gut microbiota and oral ulcers.

METHODS

We performed a 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to estimate the roles of gut microbiota in mouth ulcers. The summary datasets of gut microbiota were from the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted by MiBioGen, and data of mouth ulcers were obtained from UK Biobank. Random effect inverse variance-weighted, weighted median, MR Egger, simple mode and weighted mode were used to estimate the relationship. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the heterogeneity and pleiotropy of instrumental variables. MR Steiger filtering was also applied to orient the causal direction.

RESULTS

Three gut microbiota taxa were positively associated with mouth ulcers: Holdemania (odds ratio [OR] = 1.005, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.009, P = .019), Oxalobacter (OR = 1.004, 95% CI: 1.000-1.007, P = .032), and Ruminococcaceae UCG011 (OR = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.001-1.011, P = .029), while 4 gut microbiota taxa were negatively associated with mouth ulcers: Actinobacteria (OR = 0.992, 95% CI: 0.985-1.000, P = .042), Lactobacillales (OR = 0.995, 95% CI: 0.990-1.000, P = .034), Oscillospira (OR = 0.990, 95% CI: 0.984-0.997, P = .007) and Phascolarctobacterium (OR = 0.992, 95% CI: 0.986-0.997, P = .003). Sensitivity analyses validated the robustness of the association in between.

CONCLUSIONS

This MR study identified a strong association between the quality of gut microbiota and oral ulcers. The findings are likely to expand the therapeutic targets for mouth ulcers.

The Prevention of Viral Infections: The Role of Intestinal Microbiota and Nutritional Factors

Viral infections pose significant global challenges due to their rapid transmissibility. Therefore, preventing and treating these infections promptly is crucial to curbing their spread. This review focuses on the vital link between nutrition and viral infections, underscoring how dietary factors influence immune system modulation. Malnutrition, characterized by deficiencies in essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc, can impair the immune system, thereby increasing vulnerability to viral infections and potentially leading to more severe health outcomes that complicate recovery. Additionally, emerging evidence highlights the role of commensal microbiota in immune regulation, which can affect hosts' susceptibility to infections. Specific dietary components, including bioactive compounds, vitamins, and probiotics, can beneficially modify gut microbiota, thus enhancing immune response and offering protection against viral infections. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which dietary adjustments and gut microbiota impact the pathogenesis of viral infections, with a particular focus on strengthening the immune system.

Dry Powder Inhaler Formulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Bronchiectasis Maintenance Therapy

The inhaled delivery of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) probiotics has been demonstrated to exert therapeutic benefits to the lungs due to LAB's immunomodulatory activities. The development of inhaled probiotics formulation, however, is in its nascent stage limited to nebulized LAB. We developed a dry powder inhaler (DPI) formulation of lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) intended for bronchiectasis maintenance therapy by spray freeze drying (SFD). The optimal DPI formulation (i.e., LGG: mannitol: lactose: leucine = 35: 45: 15: 5 wt.%) was determined based on the aerosolization efficiency (86% emitted dose and 26% respirable fraction) and LGG cell viability post-SFD (7 log CFU/mL per mg powder). The optimal DPI formulation was evaluated and compared to lyophilized naked LGG by its (1) adhesion capacity and cytotoxicity to human lung epithelium cells (i.e., A549 and 16HBE14o- cells) as well as its (2) effectiveness in inhibiting the growth and adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to lung cells. The optimal DPI of LGG exhibited similar non-cytotoxicity and adhesion capacity to lung cells to naked LGG. The DPI of LGG also inhibited the growth and adhesion of P. aeruginosa to the lung cells as effectively as the naked LGG. The present work established the feasibility of delivering the LAB probiotic by the DPI platform without adversely affecting LGG's anti-pseudomonal activities.

The gut-lung axis: the impact of the gut mycobiome on pulmonary diseases and infections

The gastrointestinal tract contains a diverse microbiome consisting of bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea. Although these microbes usually reside as commensal organisms, it is now well established that higher abundance of specific bacterial or fungal species, or loss of diversity in the microbiome can significantly affect development, progression and outcomes in disease. Studies have mainly focused on the effects of bacteria, however, the impact of other microbes, such as fungi, has received increased attention in the last few years. Fungi only represent around 0.1% of the total gut microbial population. However, key fungal taxa such as Candida, Aspergillus and Wallemia have been shown to significantly impact health and disease. The composition of the gut mycobiome has been shown to affect immunity at distal sites, such as the heart, lung, brain, pancreas, and liver. In the case of the lung this phenomenon is referred to as the 'gut-lung axis'. Recent studies have begun to explore and unveil the relationship between gut fungi and lung immunity in diseases such as asthma and lung cancer, and lung infections caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi. In this review we will summarize the current, rapidly growing, literature describing the impact of the gut mycobiome on respiratory disease and infection.

Exploring the effects of Saorilao-4 on the gut microbiota of pulmonary fibrosis model rats based on 16S rRNA sequencing

AIMS

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive and incurable lung disease for which treatment options are limited. Here, we aimed to conduct an exploratory study on the effects of the Mongolian medicine Saorilao-4 (SRL) on the gut microbiota structure, species abundance, and diversity of a rat PF model as well as the mechanisms underlying such effects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Rat fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. Bioinformatic and correlation analyses were performed on microbiota data to determine significant associations. SRL substantially attenuated the adverse effects exerted by PF on the structure and diversity of gut microbiota while regulating its alpha and beta diversities. Linear discriminant analysis effect size enabled the identification of 62 differentially abundant microbial taxa. Gut microbiota abundance analysis revealed that SRL significantly increased the relative abundance of bacterial phyla such as Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Moreover, SRL increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteriales, decreased the proportion of pathogenic bacteria, such as Rikenellaceae, and balanced the gut microbiota by regulating metabolic pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

SRL may attenuate PF by regulating gut microbiota. This exploratory study establishes the groundwork for investigating the metagenomics of PF.

Host tracheal and intestinal microbiomes inhibit Coccidioides growth in vitro

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is a disease caused by the fungal pathogen Coccidioides. Unfortunately, patients are often misdiagnosed with bacterial pneumonia, leading to inappropriate antibiotic treatment. The soil Bacillus subtilis-like species exhibits antagonistic properties against Coccidioides in vitro; however, the antagonistic capabilities of host microbiota against Coccidioides are unexplored. We sought to examine the potential of the tracheal and intestinal microbiomes to inhibit the growth of Coccidioides in vitro. We hypothesized that an uninterrupted lawn of microbiota obtained from antibiotic-free mice would inhibit the growth of Coccidioides, while partial in vitro depletion through antibiotic disk diffusion assays would allow a niche for fungal growth. We observed that the microbiota grown on 2×GYE (GYE) and Columbia colistin and nalidixic acid with 5% sheep's blood agar inhibited the growth of Coccidioides, but microbiota grown on chocolate agar did not. Partial depletion of the microbiota through antibiotic disk diffusion revealed diminished inhibition and comparable growth of Coccidioides to controls. To characterize the bacteria grown and identify potential candidates contributing to the inhibition of Coccidioides, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on tracheal and intestinal agar cultures and murine lung extracts. We found that the host bacteria likely responsible for this inhibition primarily included Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of the host microbiota to inhibit the growth of Coccidioides in vitro and suggest that an altered microbiome through antibiotic treatment could negatively impact effective fungal clearance and allow a niche for fungal growth in vivo.

IMPORTANCE

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by a fungal pathogen that invades the host lungs, causing respiratory distress. In 2019, 20,003 cases of Valley fever were reported to the CDC. However, this number likely vastly underrepresents the true number of Valley fever cases, as many go undetected due to poor testing strategies and a lack of diagnostic models. Valley fever is also often misdiagnosed as bacterial pneumonia, resulting in 60%-80% of patients being treated with antibiotics prior to an accurate diagnosis. Misdiagnosis contributes to a growing problem of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic-induced microbiome dysbiosis; the implications for disease outcomes are currently unknown. About 5%-10% of symptomatic Valley fever patients develop chronic pulmonary disease. Valley fever causes a significant financial burden and a reduced quality of life. Little is known regarding what factors contribute to the development of chronic infections and treatments for the disease are limited.

An orally administered bacterial membrane protein nanodrug ameliorates doxorubicin cardiotoxicity through alleviating impaired intestinal barrier

The cardiotoxicity caused by Dox chemotherapy represents a significant limitation to its clinical application and is a major cause of late death in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Currently, there are no effective treatments available. Our analysis of 295 clinical samples from 132 chemotherapy patients and 163 individuals undergoing physical examination revealed a strong positive correlation between intestinal barrier injury and the development of cardiotoxicity in chemotherapy patients. We developed a novel orally available and intestinal targeting protein nanodrug by assembling membrane protein Amuc_1100 (obtained from intestinal bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila), fluorinated polyetherimide, and hyaluronic acid. The protein nanodrug demonstrated favorable stability against hydrolysis compared with free Amuc_1100. The in vivo results demonstrated that the protein nanodrug can alleviate Dox-induced cardiac toxicity by improving gut microbiota, increasing the proportion of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria from the Lachnospiraceae family, and further enhancing the levels of butyrate and pentanoic acids, ultimately regulating the homeostasis repair of lymphocytes in the spleen and heart. Therefore, we believe that the integrity of the intestinal barrier plays an important role in the development of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Protective interventions targeting the intestinal barrier may hold promise as a general clinical treatment regimen for reducing Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

The role of airways microbiota on local and systemic diseases: a rationale for probiotics delivery to the respiratory tract

INTRODUCTION

Recent discoveries in the field of lung microbiota have enabled the investigation of new therapeutic interventions involving the use of inhaled probiotics.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides an overview of what is known about the correlation between airway dysbiosis and the development of local and systemic diseases, and how this knowledge can be exploited for therapeutic interventions. In particular, the review focused on attempts to formulate probiotics that can be deposited directly on the airways.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite considerable progress since the emergence of respiratory microbiota restoration as a new research field, numerous clinical implications and benefits remain to be determined. In the case of local diseases, once the pathophysiology is understood, manipulating the lung microbiota through probiotic administration is an approach that can be exploited. In contrast, the effect of pulmonary dysbiosis on systemic diseases remains to be clarified; however, this approach could represent a turning point in their treatment.

Cross-domain microbiomes: the interaction of gut, lung and environmental microbiota in asthma pathogenesis

Recent experimental and epidemiological studies underscore the vital interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the lungs, an interplay known as the "gut-lung axis". The significance of this axis has been further illuminated following the identification of intestinal microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), as key mediators in setting the tone of the immune system. Through the gut-lung axis, the gut microbiota and its metabolites, or allergens, are directly or indirectly involved in the immunomodulation of pulmonary diseases, thereby increasing susceptibility to allergic airway diseases such as asthma. Asthma is a complex outcome of the interplay between environmental factors and genetic predispositions. The concept of the gut-lung axis may offer new targets for the prevention and treatment of asthma. This review outlines the relationships between asthma and the respiratory microbiome, gut microbiome, and environmental microbiome. It also discusses the current advancements and applications of microbiomics, offering novel perspectives and strategies for the clinical management of chronic respiratory diseases like asthma.

The Mucus-Binding Factor Mediates Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 Adhesion but Not Immunomodulation in the Respiratory Tract

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 possesses immunomodulatory activities in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts when administered orally. Its adhesion to the intestinal mucosa does not condition its beneficial effects. The intranasal administration of L. rhamnosus CRL1505 is more effective than the oral route at modulating immunity in the respiratory tract. Nonetheless, it has not yet been established whether the adherence of the CRL1505 strain to the respiratory mucosa is needed to provide the immune benefits to the host. In this study, we evaluated the role of adhesion to the respiratory mucosa of the mucus-binding factor (mbf) knock-out L. rhamnosus CRL1505 mutant (Δmbf CRL1505) in the context of a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)-triggered innate immunity response. In vitro adhesion studies in porcine bronchial epitheliocytes (PBE cells) indicated that L. rhamnosus Δmbf CRL1505 adhered weakly compared to the wild-type strain. However, in vivo studies in mice demonstrated that the Δmbf CRL1505 also reduced lung damage and modulated cytokine production in the respiratory tract after the activation of TLR3 to a similar extent as the wild-type strain. In addition, the mutant and the wild-type strains modulated the production of cytokines and antiviral factors by alveolar macrophages in the same way. These results suggest that the Mbf protein is partially involved in the ability of L. rhamnosus CRL1505 to adhere to the respiratory epithelium, but the protein is not necessary for the CRL1505 strain to exert its immunomodulatory beneficial effects. These findings are a step forward in the understanding of molecular interactions that mediate the beneficial effects of nasally administered probiotics.

The Influence of Lactobacillus spp. Secondary Metabolites Isolated from Immature Egyptian Honey on Human Pathogens, Transcription of Virulence Genes and Lung Cancer

This work aimed to isolate, and identify Lactic Acid Bacteria LAB from Egyptian immature citrus honey, and characterize their secondary metabolites, as well as determine the antibacterial activities and transcription of virulence genes (stx1, stx2, and eae) influenced by these bacterial secondary metabolites. From twenty hives, twenty immature citrus bee honey samples were taken. Traditional cultural and biochemical testing were used, followed by molecular confirmation. Further, LAB isolates' antibacterial and cytotoxic properties were investigated. 16S rRNA gene sequencing were assessed and, two lactic acid bacterial isolates were identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus Ch2 and Levilactobacillus brevis Ch1. Both isolates have good antagonistic action against clinical pathogens, with Levilactobacillus brevis Ch1 exhibiting the best antibacterial activity against all indicator pathogens examined. When compared to untreated cancer cells, the isolates demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity. Ch1 and Ch2 cell viability percentages were 39.5% and 18.76%, respectively. Furthermore, when exposed to Levilactobacillus brevis Ch1 metabolites, Shiga-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) virulence gene expression was suppressed. To identify bacterial secondary metabolites, a high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF) approach was developed. Twenty-seven metabolites from diverse chemical classes were discovered in the crude extracts with antibacterial and anticancer characteristics. This is the first thorough investigation on the metabolic profile of LAB isolated from immature Egyptian honey and the findings suggested that isolates or their secondary metabolites could be used in the food sector as medicinal alternatives or as a biocontrol agent.

Does "all disease begin in the gut"? The gut-organ cross talk in the microbiome

The human microbiome, a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms within the body, plays pivotal roles in health and disease. This review explores site-specific microbiomes, their role in maintaining health, and strategies for their upkeep, focusing on oral, lung, vaginal, skin, and gut microbiota, and their systemic connections. Understanding the intricate relationships between these microbial communities is crucial for unraveling mechanisms underlying human health. Recent research highlights bidirectional communication between the gut and distant microbiome sites, influencing immune function, metabolism, and disease susceptibility. Alterations in one microbiome can impact others, emphasizing their interconnectedness and collective influence on human physiology. The therapeutic potential of gut microbiota in modulating distant microbiomes offers promising avenues for interventions targeting various disorders. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and technological advancements, we can harness the power of the microbiome to revolutionize healthcare, emphasizing microbiome-centric approaches to promote holistic well-being while identifying areas for future research.

Adjunctive administration of parabiotic Lactobacillus sakei CVL-001 ameliorates drug-induced toxicity and pulmonary inflammation during antibiotic treatment for tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment requires a long therapeutic duration and induces adverse effects such as hepatotoxicity, causing discontinuation of treatment. Reduced adherence to TB medications elevates the risk of recurrence and the development of drug resistance. Additionally, severe cavitary TB with a high burden of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and inflammation-mediated tissue damage may need an extended treatment duration, resulting in a higher tendency of drug-induced toxicity. We previously reported that the administration of Lactobacillus sakei CVL-001 (L. sakei CVL-001) regulates inflammation and improves mucosal barrier function in a murine colitis model. Since accumulating evidence has reported the functional roles of probiotics in drug-induced liver injury and pulmonary inflammation, we employed a parabiotic form of the L. sakei CVL-001 to investigate whether this supplement may provide beneficial effects on the reduction in drug-induced liver damage and pulmonary inflammation during chemotherapy. Intriguingly, L. sakei CVL-001 administration slightly reduced Mtb burden without affecting lung inflammation and weight loss in both Mtb-resistant and -susceptible mice. Moreover, L. sakei CVL-001 decreased T cell-mediated inflammatory responses and increased regulatory T cells along with an elevated antigen-specific IL-10 production, suggesting that this parabiotic may restrain excessive inflammation during antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, the parabiotic intervention significantly reduced levels of alanine aminotransferase, an indicator of hepatotoxicity, and cell death in liver tissues. Collectively, our data suggest that L. sakei CVL-001 administration has the potential to be an adjunctive therapy by reducing pulmonary inflammation and liver damage during anti-TB drug treatment and may benefit adherence to TB medication in lengthy treatment.

Cell-free supernatants from Lactobacillus strains exert antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis patients

Chronic lung infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa play a significant role in the mortality and morbidity of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The widespread bacterial resistance to conventional antimicrobials demands identifying new strategies to complement or replace current antibiotic therapies. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence properties of cell-free supernatants (CFS) from several Lactobacillus probiotic strains against P. aeruginosa isolated from the sputum of CF patients. A strong and fast antibacterial activity of CFS from different strains of lactobacilli was observed at acidic pH towards P. aeruginosa, both in planktonic and biofilm mode of growth, in conditions mimicking CF lung. Interestingly, although when adjusted at pH 6.0, CFS lost most of their antibacterial potential, they retained some antivirulence activity towards P. aeruginosa, largely dependent on the dose, exposure time, and the Lactobacillus-P. aeruginosa strain combination. In vivo testing in the invertebrate Galleria mellonella model disclosed the lack of toxicity of acidic CFS and their ability to prevent P. aeruginosa infection. For the first time, the results revealed lactobacilli postbiotic activities in the context of the pulmonary environment, pointing to innovative postbiotics' uses in anti-infective therapy.

Exploring the immune-inflammatory mechanism of Maxing Shigan Decoction in treating influenza virus A-induced pneumonia based on an integrated strategy of single-cell transcriptomics and systems biology

BACKGROUND

Influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza virus. Maxing Shigan Decoction (MXSGD) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine prescription for the prevention and treatment of influenza. However, its mechanism remains unclear.

METHOD

The mice model of influenza A virus pneumonia was established by nasal inoculation. After 3 days of intervention, the lung index was calculated, and the pathological changes of lung tissue were detected by HE staining. Firstly, transcriptomics technology was used to analyze the differential genes and important pathways in mouse lung tissue regulated by MXSGD. Then, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to verify the changes in mRNA expression in lung tissues. Finally, intestinal microbiome and intestinal metabolomics were performed to explore the effect of MXSGD on gut microbiota.

RESULTS

The lung inflammatory cell infiltration in the MXSGD group was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The results of bioinformatics analysis for transcriptomics results show that these genes are mainly involved in inflammatory factors and inflammation-related signal pathways mediated inflammation biological modules, etc. Intestinal microbiome showed that the intestinal flora Actinobacteriota level and Desulfobacterota level increased in MXSGD group, while Planctomycetota in MXSGD group decreased. Metabolites were mainly involved in primary bile acid biosynthesis, thiamine metabolism, etc. This suggests that MXSGD has a microbial-gut-lung axis regulation effect on mice with influenza A virus pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

MXSGD may play an anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory role by regulating intestinal microbiome and intestinal metabolic small molecules, and ultimately play a role in the treatment of influenza A virus pneumonia.

Intact lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are both suitable for the evaluation of murine lung microbiome in acute lung injury

BACKGROUND

Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that lung microbiome is closely linked to the progression of pulmonary diseases; however, it is still controversial which specimen type is preferred for the evaluation of lung microbiome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To address this issue, we established a classical acute lung injury (ALI) mice model by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We found that the bacterial DNA obtained from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), intact lung tissue [Lung(i)], lung tissue after perfused [Lung(p)], and feces of one mouse were enough for 16S rRNA sequencing, except the BALF of mice treated with phosphate buffer saline (PBS), which might be due to the biomass of lung microbiome in the BALF were upregulated in the mice treated with LPS. Although the alpha diversity among the three specimens from lungs had minimal differences, Lung(p) had higher sample-to-sample variation compared with BALF and Lung(i). Consistently, PCoA analysis at phylum level indicated that BALF was similar to Lung(i), but not Lung(p), in the lungs of mice treated with LPS, suggesting that BALF and Lung(i) were suitable for the evaluation of lung microbiome in ALI. Importantly, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were identified as the mostly changed phyla in the lungs and might be important factors involved in the gut-lung axis in ALI mice. Moreover, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria might play indicative roles in the severity of lung injury.

CONCLUSION

This study shows both Lung(i) and BALF are suitable for the evaluation of murine lung microbiome in ALI, and several bacterial phyla, such as Actinobacteria, may serve as potential biomarkers for the severity of ALI. Video Abstract.

Integrating fecal metabolomics and intestinal microbiota to study the mechanism of cannabidiol in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic interstitial lung disease characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Cannabidiol, a natural component extracted from plant cannabis, has been shown to have therapeutic effects on lung diseases, but its exact mechanism of action is unknown, hindering its therapeutic effectiveness. Methods: To establish a pulmonary fibrosis model, combined with UPLC-Q-TOF/MS metabolomics and 16S rDNA sequencing, to explore cannabidiol's mechanism in treating pulmonary fibrosis. The rats were randomly divided into the control group, pulmonary fibrosis model group, prednisone treatment group, and cannabidiol low, medium, and high dose groups. The expression levels of HYP, SOD, and MDA in lung tissue and the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum were detected. Intestinal microbiota was detected using UPLC-QTOF/MS analysis of metabolomic properties and 16S rDNA sequencing. Results: Pathological studies and biochemical indexes showed that cannabidiol treatment could significantly alleviate IPF symptoms, significantly reduce the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA, and HYP, and increase the expression level of SOD (p < 0.05). CBD-H can regulate Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Pseudomonas, Clostridia_UCG-014, Collinsella, Prevotella, [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group, Fusobacterium, Ruminococcus, and Streptococcus, it can restore intestinal microbiota function and reverse fecal metabolism trend. It also plays the role of fibrosis through the metabolism of linoleic acid, glycerol, linolenic acid, and sphingolipid. Discussion: Cannabidiol reverses intestinal microbiota imbalance and attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in rats through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic effects. This study lays the foundation for future research on the pathological mechanisms of IPF and the development of new drug candidates.

SARS-CoV-2 genetic variation and bacterial communities of naso-oropharyngeal samples in middle-aged and elderly COVID-19 patients in West Java, Indonesia

Objective

The number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia reflects the disease severity and rapid dissemination. In response to the mounting threat, SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance and the investigation of naso-oropharyngeal bacterial communities in West Java were conducted, as dysbiosis of the upper respiratory tract microbiota might adversely affect the clinical condition of patients.

Methods

We utilized the Oxford Nanopore sequencing platform to analyze genetic variation of 43 samples of SARS-CoV-2 and 11 selected samples for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, using samples collected from May to August 2021.

Results

The prevalence of AY.23 (>82%) predominated among five virus lineages in the populations (AY.23, AY.24, AY.26, AY.42, B.1.1.7). The region in the SARS-CoV-2 genome found to have the highest number of mutations was the spike (S) protein (>20%). There was no association between SARS-CoV-2 lineages, mutation frequency, patient profile, and COVID-19 rapid spread-categorized cases. There was no association of bacterial relative abundance, alpha-beta diversity, and linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis with patient profile and rapid spread cases. MetagenomeSeq analysis showed eight differential abundance species in individual patient profiles, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus parainfluenzae.

Conclusions

The data demonstrated relevant AY.23 dominance (the Delta variant) in West Java during that period supporting the importance of surveillance program in monitoring disease progression. The inconsistent results of the bacterial communities suggest that a complex multifactor process may contribute to the progression of bacterial-induced disease in each patient.

Bacterial community and diversity in the rumen of 11 Mongolian cattle as revealed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing

Through microorganism in the rumen of ruminant, plant fiber can be converted to edible food such as meat and milk. Ruminants had a rich and complex microbial community within the rumen, and the bacteria comprised the dominant proportion of the ruminal microbes. High-throughput sequencing offered a viable solution for the study of rumen microbes. In this study, rumen fluid samples were taken from 11 cattle from Inner Mongolian, the DNA of 11 rumen fluid samples were extracted and bacterial amplicons of the V4 regions of 16S rRNA were subjected to Illumina sequencing. More than 90,000 raw reads and 60,000 effect Tags per sample were obtained. 28,122 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were observed from 11 samples, in average 2557 ± 361 OTUs for each sample. Bacteroidetes (44.41 ± 7.31%), Firmicutes (29.07 ± 3.78%), and Proteobacteria (7.18 ± 5.63%) were the dominant phyla among the bacteria of rumen, accounting for 82%. At the genus level, the highest relative abundance was Prevotella. Their functions were predicted using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The results showed that they included metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing and cellular processes. It explored the bacterial community diversity and composition of the rumen of Mongolian cattle. On the whole, our research showed that there was a high diversity as well as rich bacterial flora function of rumen bacteria in Mongolian cattle. Meanwhile, these findings provided information for further studies on the relationship between the community, diversity, functions of rumen bacteria and the nutritional physiological functions of the host.

Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum GUANKE effectively alleviates allergic rhinitis symptoms by modulating functions of various cytokines and chemokines

Background

Currently, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) remains high and there is a great need to develop better and safer ways to alleviate AR symptoms. The Lactobacillus plantarum GUANKE probiotic was reported as an immunomodulator through maintaining Th1/Th2 balance. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of GUANKE in AR subjects.

Methods

Adults aged from 18 to 60 years old and previously suffered from AR were recruited and received GUANKE probiotics treatment for 4 weeks. The questionnaires of Total nasal symptom scores (TNSS), total non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS), and rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT) were used to assess the effectiveness before and after treatment. The serum allergen-specific IgE and cytokines were also determined at baseline and after 4 weeks of probiotics administration.

Results

The results showed that TNSS and TNNSS were significantly reduced and the RCAT score was significantly increased compared to baseline. The sub-symptom score of rhinorrhea, itching, sneezing, and tearing in each questionnaire also showed significant changes, and the serum IgE level was markedly decreased. We further measured inflammatory-related proteins in serum and found that a total of 20 proteins (6 upregulated and 14 downregulated) were significantly changed compared to baseline, including IL-4, IL-7, IL-20, IL-33, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL6, CXCL11, CCL4, CCL23, TGF-alpha, LAP-TGF-beta-1, MMP-1, MMP-10, AXIN1, NT-3, OSM, SCF, CD6, and NRTN. Enrichment analysis showed that these significantly altered proteins were mainly enriched in cytokine and chemokine-related signaling pathways.

Conclusion

Taken together, this study demonstrated the Lactobacillus plantarum GUANKE can serve as an effective immunobiotic for the treatment of AR, which is realized through maintaining the Th1/Th2 balance by modulating the functions of various cytokines and chemokines.

Prevention of exacerbation in patients with moderate-to-very severe COPD with the intent to modulate respiratory microbiome: a pilot prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Considering the role of bacteria in the onset of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), we hypothesized that the use of influenza-Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination, oral probiotics or inhaled amikacin could prevent AECOPD.

Methods

In this pilot prospective, muti-central, randomized trial, moderate-to-very severe COPD subjects with a history of moderate-to-severe exacerbations in the previous year were enrolled and assigned in a ratio of 1:1:1:1 into 4 groups. All participants were managed based on the conventional treatment recommended by GOLD 2019 report for 3 months, with three groups receiving additional treatment of inhaled amikacin (0.4 g twice daily, 5-7 days monthly for 3 months), oral probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (1 tablet daily for 3 months), or influenza-S. pneumoniae vaccination. The primary endpoint was time to the next onset of moderate-to-severe AECOPD from enrollment. Secondary endpoints included CAT score, mMRC score, adverse events, and survival in 12 months.

Results

Among all 112 analyzed subjects (101 males, 96 smokers or ex-smokers, mean ± SD age 67.19 ± 7.39 years, FEV1 41.06 ± 16.09% predicted), those who were given dual vaccination (239.7 vs. 198.2 days, p = 0.044, 95%CI [0.85, 82.13]) and oral probiotics (248.8 vs. 198.2 days, p = 0.017, 95%CI [7.49, 93.59]) had significantly delayed onset of next moderate-to-severe AECOPD than those received conventional treatment only. For subjects with high symptom burden, the exacerbations were significantly delayed in inhaled amikacin group as compared to the conventional treatment group (237.3 vs. 179.1 days, p = 0.009, 95%CI [12.40,104.04]). The three interventions seemed to be safe and well tolerated for patient with stable COPD.

Conclusion

The influenza-S. pneumoniae vaccine and long-term oral probiotic LGG can significantly delay the next moderate-to-severe AECOPD. Periodically amikacin inhalation seems to work in symptomatic patients. The findings in the current study warrants validation in future studies with microbiome investigation.Clinical trial registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT03449459.

Nanoparticles of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K8 Reduce Staphylococcus aureus Respiratory Infection and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha- and Interferon Gamma-Induced Lung Inflammation

Multiple studies have confirmed that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum has beneficial effects in respiratory diseases, including respiratory tract infections, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the role of L. plantarum lysates in respiratory diseases is unclear. Staphylococcus aureus infects the lungs of mice, recruits immune cells, and induces structural changes in alveoli. Lung diseases can be further aggravated by inflammatory cytokines such as CCL2 and interleukin (IL)-6. In in vivo studies, L. plantarum K8 nanoparticles (K8NPs) restored lung function and prevented lung damage caused by S. aureus infection. They inhibited the S. aureus infection and the infiltration of immune cells and prevented the increase in goblet cell numbers in the lungs of S. aureus-infected mice. K8NPs suppressed the expression of CCL2 and IL-6, which were increased by the combination treatment of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma (TI), in a dose-dependent manner. In in vitro studies, the anti-inflammatory effect of K8NPs in TI-treated A549 cells and TI-injected mice occurred through the reduction in activated mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor kappa-B. These findings suggest that the efficacy of K8NPs in controlling respiratory inflammation and infection can be used to develop functional materials that can prevent or alleviate respiratory diseases.

Host tracheal and intestinal microbiomes inhibit Coccidioides growth in vitro

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is a disease caused by the fungal pathogen Coccidioides. Unfortunately, patients are often misdiagnosed with bacterial pneumonia leading to inappropriate antibiotic treatment. Soil bacteria B. subtilis-like species exhibits antagonistic properties against Coccidioides in vitro; however, the antagonistic capabilities of host microbiota against Coccidioides are unexplored. We sought to examine the potential of the tracheal and intestinal microbiomes to inhibit the growth of Coccidioides in vitro. We hypothesized that an uninterrupted lawn of microbiota obtained from antibiotic-free mice would inhibit the growth of Coccidioides while partial in vitro depletion through antibiotic disk diffusion assays would allow a niche for fungal growth. We observed that the microbiota grown on 2xGYE (GYE) and CNA w/ 5% sheep's blood agar (5%SB-CNA) inhibited the growth of Coccidioides, but that grown on chocolate agar does not. Partial depletion of the microbiota through antibiotic disk diffusion revealed that microbiota depletion leads to diminished inhibition and comparable growth of Coccidioides growth to controls. To characterize the bacteria grown and narrow down potential candidates contributing to the inhibition of Coccidioides, 16s rRNA sequencing of tracheal and intestinal agar cultures and murine lung extracts was performed. The identity of host bacteria that may be responsible for this inhibition was revealed. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of the host microbiota to inhibit the growth of Coccidioides in vitro and suggest that an altered microbiome through antibiotic treatment could negatively impact effective fungal clearance and allow a niche for fungal growth in vivo.

Developmental progression of the nasopharyngeal microbiome during childhood and association with the lower airway microbiome

Background

The upper (URT) and lower (LRT) respiratory tract feature distinct environments and responses affecting microbial colonization but investigating the relationship between them is technically challenging. We aimed to identify relationships between taxa colonizing the URT and LRT and explore their relationship with development during childhood.

Methods

We employed V4 16S rDNA sequencing to profile nasopharyngeal swabs and tracheal aspirates collected from 183 subjects between 20 weeks and 18 years of age. These samples were collected prior to elective procedures at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia over the course of 20 weeks in 2020, from otherwise healthy subjects enrolled in a study investigating potential reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2.

Findings

After extraction, sequencing, and quality control, we studied the remaining 124 nasopharyngeal swabs and 98 tracheal aspirates, including 85 subject-matched pairs of samples. V4 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that the nasopharynx is colonized by few, highly-abundant taxa, while the tracheal aspirates feature a diverse assembly of microbes. While no taxa co-occur in the URT and LRT of the same subject, clusters of microbiomes in the URT correlate with clusters of microbiomes in the LRT. The clusters identified in the URT correlate with subject age across childhood development.

Interpretations

The correlation between clusters of taxa across sites may suggest a mutual influence from either a third site, such as the oropharynx, or host-extrinsic, environmental features. The identification of a pattern of upper respiratory microbiota development across the first 18 years of life suggests that the patterns observed in early childhood may extend beyond the early life window.

Gut Microbiota and Respiratory Infections: Insights from Mendelian Randomization

The role of the gut microbiota in modulating the risk of respiratory infections has garnered increasing attention. However, conventional clinical trials have faced challenges in establishing the precise relationship between the two. In this study, we conducted a Mendelian randomization analysis with single nucleotide polymorphisms employed as instrumental variables to assess the causal links between the gut microbiota and respiratory infections. Two categories of bacteria, family Lactobacillaceae and genus Family XIII AD3011, were causally associated with the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Four categories of gut microbiota existed that were causally associated with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), with order Bacillales and genus Paraprevotella showing a positive association and genus Alistipes and genus Ruminococcaceae UCG009 showing a negative association. The metabolites and metabolic pathways only played a role in the development of LRTIs, with the metabolite deoxycholine acting negatively and menaquinol 8 biosynthesis acting positively. The identification of specific bacterial populations, metabolites, and pathways may provide new clues for mechanism research concerning therapeutic interventions for respiratory infections. Future research should focus on elucidating the potential mechanisms regulating the gut microbiota and developing effective strategies to reduce the incidence of respiratory infections. These findings have the potential to significantly improve global respiratory health.

A Three-Arm, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety of Lactobacillus salivarius AP-32 and Bifidobacterium animalis CP-9 Used Individually in Healthy Infants

Probiotics are considered safe and beneficial to human health. However, the safety of Lactobacillus salivarius AP-32 and Bifidobacterium animalis CP-9 in infants has not been confirmed. This study was to assess the safety of long-term oral administration of L. salivarius AP-32 and B. animalis CP-9 in healthy infants compared with placebo. A three-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in healthy, full-term infants. Eighty-eight infants between 7 days and 2 months (60 ± 7 days) of age were selected and randomized to treatment with L. salivarius AP-32, B. animalis CP-9 or placebo for 4 months. The unblinding indicated subjects were randomized to receive B. animalis CP-9 (N = 28), L. salivarius AP-32 (N = 29), or placebo (N = 31). A total of 76 infants completed the 4-month treatment with fully compliance. The primary outcome was weight gain, with no significant difference in infant weight at 4 months when comparing AP-32 or CP-9 group with the placebo group, either. The head circumference and recumbent length of the CP-9 group were not significantly different from those of the placebo group. The recumbent length of the AP-32 group was slightly lower than that in the placebo group at month 4, but there was no difference between the two groups in head circumference. Overall, the growth trend of all treatments was similar without significant difference. Furthermore, there were no apparent differences between each group in digestive tolerance, the occurrence of adverse events, crying/fussing time and episodes, alpha diversity, and beta diversity. The CP-9 group showed a significant increase in the abundance of the Bacteroides genus, while the AP-32 group demonstrated a significant increase in the abundance of the Lactobacillus genus when comparing the two probiotic groups. Our study findings indicate that the oral administration of both AP-32 and CP-9 strains has a positive impact on the maintenance of a healthy gut flora in infants. Long-term use of L. salivarius AP-32 or B. animalis CP-9 is safe for infants from 7 days to 6 months of age.

Intranasal administration of Lactobacillus johnsonii attenuates hyperoxia-induced lung injury by modulating gut microbiota in neonatal mice

BACKGROUND

Supplemental oxygen impairs lung development in newborn infants with respiratory distress. Lactobacillus johnsonii supplementation attenuates respiratory viral infection in mice and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the protective effects of intranasal administration of L. johnsonii on lung development in hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice.

METHODS

Neonatal C57BL/6N mice were reared in either room air (RA) or hyperoxia condition (85% O₂). From postnatal days 0 to 6, they were administered intranasal 10 μL L. johnsonii at a dose of 1 × 10⁵ colony-forming units. Control mice received an equal volume of normal saline (NS). We evaluated the following four study groups: RA + NS, RA + probiotic, O₂ + NS, and O₂ + probiotic. On postnatal day 7, lung and intestinal microbiota were sampled from the left lung and lower gastrointestinal tract, respectively. The right lung of each mouse was harvested for Western blot, cytokine, and histology analyses.

RESULTS

The O₂ + NS group exhibited significantly lower body weight and vascular density and significantly higher mean linear intercept (MLI) and lung cytokine levels compared with the RA + NS and RA + probiotic groups. At the genus level of the gut microbiota, the O₂ + NS group exhibited significantly higher Staphylococcus and Enterobacter abundance and significantly lower Lactobacillus abundance compared with the RA + NS and RA + probiotic groups. Intranasal L. johnsonii treatment increased the vascular density, decreased the MLI and cytokine levels, and restored the gut microbiota in hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Intranasal administration of L. johnsonii protects against hyperoxia-induced lung injury and modulates the gut microbiota.

Microbiota and mycobiota in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of silicosis patients

BACKGROUND

The contribution of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) microbiota and mycobiota to silicosis has recently been noticed. However, many confounding factors can influence the accuracy of BALF microbiota and mycobiota studies, resulting in inconsistencies in the published results. In this cross-sectional study, we systematically investigated the effects of "sampling in different rounds of BALF" on its microbiota and mycobiota. We further explored the relationship between silicosis fatigue and the microbiota and mycobiota.

METHODS

After obtaining approval from the ethics board, we collected 100 BALF samples from 10 patients with silicosis. Demographic data, clinical information, and blood test results were also collected from each patient. The characteristics of the microbiota and mycobiota were defined using next-generation sequencing. However, no non-silicosis referent group was examined, which was a major limitation of this study.

RESULTS

Our analysis indicated that subsampling from different rounds of BALF did not affect the alpha- and beta-diversities of microbial and fungal communities when the centrifuged BALF sediment was sufficient for DNA extraction. In contrast, fatigue status significantly influenced the beta-diversity of microbes and fungi (Principal Coordinates Analysis, P = 0.001; P = 0.002). The abundance of Vibrio alone could distinguish silicosis patients with fatigue from those without fatigue (area under the curve = 0.938, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.870-1.000). Significant correlations were found between Vibrio and haemoglobin levels (P < 0.001, ρ = -0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

Sampling in different rounds of BALF showed minimal effect on BALF microbial and fungal diversities; the first round of BALF collection was recommended for microbial and fungal analyses for convenience. In addition, Vibrio may be a potential biomarker for silicosis fatigue screening.

Lactobacillus Probiotic Strains Differ in Their Ability to Adhere to Human Lung Epithelial Cells and to Prevent Adhesion of Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Cystic Fibrosis Lung

The field of probiotic applications is rapidly expanding, including their use for the control of respiratory tract infections. Nevertheless, probiotics ability to colonize the lung environment and to compete with pulmonary pathogens is still a poorly investigated research area. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the adhesion ability of a number of commercial probiotic strains to the human lung epithelial cell line A549. Furthermore, we assessed probiotic ability to prevent host cell adhesion of one of the major lung pathogens in cystic fibrosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and to reduce the pathogen-induced inflammatory response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in terms of cytokine release. Lactobacillus acidophilus displayed the highest adhesion ability to A549 cells evaluated as percent of adhered bacteria compared to the inoculum. In agreement with such an observation, L. acidophilus was the most efficient in preventing adhesion to A549 cells of a P. aeruginosa isolate from CF sputum. Three-color fluorescence labeling of A549 cells, P. aeruginosa, and L. acidophilus, and confocal microcopy image analyses revealed a likely exclusion effect played by both live and UV-killed L. acidophilus towards P. aeruginosa. Such results were confirmed by CFU count. When co-cultured with PBMCs, both live and UV-killed L. acidophilus reduced the amount of IL-1β and IL-6 in culture supernatants in a statistically significant manner. Overall, the results obtained point to L. acidophilus as an interesting candidate for further studies for a potential aerogenous administration to control P. aeruginosa infections.

Carbon dots labeled Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: a fluorescent multifunctional biocarrier for anticancer drug delivery

A carbon dots (CDs)-biolabeled heat-inactivated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (HILP) hybrid was investigated as a multifunctional probiotic drug carrier with bioimaging properties using prodigiosin (PG) as anticancer agent. HILP, CDs and PG were prepared and characterized using standard methods. CDs-labeled HILP (CDs/HILP) and PG loaded CDs/HILP were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and for entrapment efficiency (EE%) of CDs and PG, respectively. PG-CDs/HILP was examined for stability and PG release. the anticancer activity of PG-CDs/HILP was assessed using different methods. CDs imparted green fluorescence to HILP cells and induced their aggregation. HILP internalized CDs via membrane proteins, forming a biostructure with retained fluorescence in PBS for 3 months at 4°C. Loading PG into CDs/HILP generated a stable green/red bicolor fluorescent combination permitting tracking of both drug carrier and cargo. Cytotoxicity assay using Caco-2 and A549 cells revealed enhanced PG activity by CDs/HILP. LCSM imaging of PG-CDs/HILP-treated Caco-2 cells demonstrated improved cytoplasmic and nuclear distribution of PG and nuclear delivery of CDs. CDs/HILP promoted PG-induced late apoptosis of Caco-2 cells and reduced their migratory ability as affirmed by flow cytometry and scratch assay, respectively. Molecular docking indicated PG interaction with mitogenic molecules involved in cell proliferation and growth regulation. Thus, CDs/HILP offers great promise as an innovative multifunctional nanobiotechnological biocarrier for anticancer drug delivery. This hybrid delivery vehicle merges the physiological activity, cytocompatibility, biotargetability and sustainability of probiotics and the bioimaging and therapeutic potential of CDs.

Relationship between the Mediterranean Diet Score in Pregnancy and the Incidence of Asthma at 4 Years of Age: The Japan Environment and Children's Study

Several scoring methods for the Mediterranean diet, which is considered as a healthy diet, are available, but studies that have compared more than one of these scores are rare. In addition, the applicability of Mediterranean diet scoring has not been sufficiently examined outside of Mediterranean regions. We collected data on the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and the incidence of type 1 allergies in offspring from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Using multiple Mediterranean diet scoring methods, we analyzed the effect of adherence to the Mediterranean diet in pregnancy on the allergies of the offspring. Overall, 46,532 pairs of mothers and children were analyzed. In Japan, a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy was associated with a lower incidence of asthma in the offspring (odds ratio: 0.896, 95% confidence interval: 0.835, 0.962). Furthermore, we found that the selection of the Mediterranean diet scoring method and the setting of the reference value significantly altered the results. Our findings suggest that an appropriate selection of scoring methods and a reference value for food items are important to analyze the effects of adherence to the Mediterranean diet inside and outside of Mediterranean regions.

The beneficial effects of spraying of probiotic Bacillus and Lactobacillus bacteria on broiler chickens experimentally infected with avian influenza virus H9N2

This study investigated the clinical, antiviral, and immunological effects of spraying Bacillus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. as a single or mixture probiotic compound on experimentally infected broiler chickens with AIV H9N2. Two hundred and forty 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to 6 groups as follows: Ctrl- (no challenge AIV; no spray probiotic), Ctrl+ (AIV challenged; no spray probiotic), AI+B (AIV challenged; daily spraying of probiotic Bacillus spp.), AI+L group (AIV challenged; daily spraying of probiotic Lactobacillus spp.), AIV+BL (AIV challenged; daily spraying of probiotic Bacillus spp. and Lactobacillus spp.), and G-DW (daily spraying of normal saline; no AIV challenged). The birds were reared for 35 d. On the 22nd day of age, broiler chickens were challenged by AIV H9N2. The probiotics were sprayed at 9×10⁹ CFU/m² daily for 35 d. Growth performance, clinical signs, virus shedding, macroscopic and microscopic lesions were evaluated at various days in all groups. Spraying with probiotics improved the body weight gain and food conversion ratio in the AI+B, AI+L, and AI+BL groups compared to the Ctrl+. The severity of clinical signs, gross lesions, pathological lesions and viral shedding in the probiotic treatment groups was lower than in the Ctrl+ group. The findings of this study suggest the daily spraying of Lactobacillus and Bacillus probiotics alone or in combination during the rearing period reduce clinical and nonclinical aspects of H9N2 virus infection; so, it can be effective as a preventive protocol for controlling the severity of AIV H9N2 infection in broilers.

Study on the Mechanism of Qing-Fei-Shen-Shi Decoction on Asthma Based on Integrated 16S rRNA Sequencing and Untargeted Metabolomics

Qing-Fei-Shen-Shi decoction (QFSS) consists of Prunus armeniaca L., Gypsum Fibrosum, Smilax glabra Roxb., Coix lacryma-jobi L., Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., Plantago asiatica L., Pyrrosia lingua (Thunb.) Farw., Houttuynia cordata Thunb., Fritillaria thunbergii Miq., Cicadae Periostracum, and Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle. QFSS shows significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of asthma. However, the specific mechanism of QFSS on asthma remains unclear. Recently, multiomics techniques are widely used in elucidating the mechanisms of Chinese herbal formulas. The use of multiomics techniques can better illuminate the multicomponents and multitargets of Chinese herbal formulas. In this study, ovalbumin (OVA) was first employed to induce an asthmatic mouse model, followed by a gavage of QFSS. First, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of QFSS on the asthmatic model mice. Second, we investigated the mechanism of QFSS in treating asthma by using an integrated 16S rRNA sequencing technology and untargeted metabolomics. Our results showed that QFSS treatment ameliorated asthma in mice. In addition, QFSS treatment affected the relative abundances of gut microbiota including Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Helicobacter. Untargeted metabolomics results showed that QFSS treatment regulated the metabolites such as 2-(acetylamino)-3-[4-(acetylamino) phenyl] acrylic acid, D-raffinose, LysoPC (15 : 1), methyl 10-undecenoate, PE (18 : 1/20 : 4), and D-glucose6-phosphate. These metabolites are associated with arginine and proline metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Correlation analysis indicated that arginine and proline metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism metabolic pathways were identified as the common metabolic pathways of 16s rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. In conclusion, our results showed that QFSS could ameliorate asthma in mice. The possible mechanism of QFSS on asthma may be associated with regulating the gut microbiota and arginine and proline metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism. Our study may be useful for researchers to study the integrative mechanisms of Chinese herbal formulas based on modulating gut microbiota and metabolism.

Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice through modulating gut microbiota

Introduction: Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule (BFHX) has been used to treat pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in clinic. However, the mechanism of Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule on pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that the changes in gut microbiota were closely related to the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Modulating gut microbiota provides new thoughts in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: In this study,a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced using bleomycin (BLM) and treated with Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule. We firstly evaluated the therapeutic effects of Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule on pulmonary fibrosis model mice. Besides,the anti-inflammatory and anti- oxidative effects of Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule were evaluated. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to observe the changes in gut microbiota in pulmonary fibrosis model mice after Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule treatment. Results: Our results showed that Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule significantly reduced the collagen deposition in pulmonary fibrosis model mice. Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule treatment also reduced the levels and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibited the oxidative stress in lung. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule affected the diversity of gut microbiota and the relative abundances of gut microbiota such as Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Romboutsia. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the therapeutic effects of Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule on pulmonary fibrosis. The mechanisms of Bu-Fei-Huo-Xue capsule on pulmonary fibrosis may be associated with regulating gut microbiota.

Nano selenium-enriched probiotic Lactobacillus enhances alum adjuvanticity and promotes antigen-specific systemic and mucosal immunity

Nano selenium-enriched probiotics have been identified to improve immune responses, such as alleviating inflammation, antioxidant function, treatment of tumors, anticancer activity, and regulating intestinal flora. However, so far, there is little information on improving the immune effect of the vaccine. Here, we prepared nano selenium-enriched Levilactobacillus brevis 23017 (SeL) and heat-inactivated nano selenium-enriched L. brevis 23017 (HiSeL) and evaluated their immune enhancing functions on the alum-adjuvanted, inactivated Clostridium perfringens type A vaccine in mouse and rabbit models, respectively. We found that SeL enhanced immune responses of the vaccine by inducing a more rapid antibody production, eliciting higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers, improving secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) antibody level and cellular immune response, and regulating Th1/Th2 immune response, thus helping to induce better protective efficacy after challenge. Moreover, we confirmed that the immunoenhancement effects are related to regulating oxidative stress, cytokine secretion, and selenoprotein expression. Meanwhile, similar effects were observed in HiSeL. In addition, they show enhanced humoral immune response at 1/2 and 1/4 standard vaccine doses, which confirms their prominent immune enhancement effect. Finally, the effect of improving vaccine immune responses was further confirmed in rabbits, which shows that SeL stimulates the production of IgG antibodies, generates α toxin-neutralizing antibodies rapidly, and reduces the pathological damage to intestine tissue. Our study demonstrates that nano selenium-enriched probiotics improve the immune effect of the alum adjuvants vaccine and highlight its potential usage in remedying the disadvantages of alum adjuvants.

Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health

Immune cells and commensal microbes in the human intestine constantly communicate with and react to each other in a stable environment in order to maintain healthy immune activities. Immune system-microbiota cross-talk relies on a complex network of pathways that sustain the balance between immune tolerance and immunogenicity. Probiotic bacteria can interact and stimulate intestinal immune cells and commensal microflora to modulate specific immune functions and immune homeostasis. Growing evidence shows that probiotic bacteria present important health-promoting and immunomodulatory properties. Thus, the use of probiotics might represent a promising approach for improving immune system activities. So far, few studies have been reported on the beneficial immune modulatory effect of probiotics. However, many others, which are mainly focused on their metabolic/nutritional properties, have been published. Therefore, the mechanisms behind the interaction between host immune cells and probiotics have only been partially described. The present review aims to collect and summarize the most recent scientific results and the resulting implications of how probiotic bacteria and immune cells interact to improve immune functions. Hence, a description of the currently known immunomodulatory mechanisms of probiotic bacteria in improving the host immune system is provided.

Global research trends between gut microbiota and lung cancer from 2011 to 2022: A bibliometric and visualization analysis

Background

An increasing number of studies have found that the gut microbiota was related to the occurrence and development of lung cancer. Nonetheless, publication trends and research hotspots in this field remain unknown. The study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis to systematically identify publication trends and research hotspots in the field of gut microbiota and lung cancer research within a 12-year panorama.

Methods

Publications related to the gut microbiota and lung cancer between 1 January 2011 and 25 October 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The online analytic tool of the WoSCC was used to analyze various bibliometric parameters. The bibliometrics website, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer were used to identify research trends and hotspots.

Results

A total of 375 publications related to the gut microbiota and lung cancer were extracted from WoSCC and identified for analysis. The number of annual publications has grown rapidly since 2018 and reached a peak in 2022. China was the most prolific country in this field, with 120 publications, followed by the United States (114), with the highest H-index of 31. Additionally, France ranked the highest with an average of 133 citations, while the leading institution and journal were the Unicancer and the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, respectively. Interestingly, Routy Bertrand was the most prolific author and also the most cited author in terms of H-index and citations. Reference and keyword burst detection indicated that the research hotspots mainly included 1) the gut microbiota directly affects the efficacy of immunotherapy for lung cancer, 2) the application of different gut bacteria on lung cancer, and 3) the mechanism of the gut microbiota on lung cancer.

Conclusion

The findings of this study revealed the general publication trends and evolving research hotspots in the field of gut microbiota and lung cancer at a global level. The research hotspots focused on the clinical application of the gut microbiota combined with immunotherapy in lung cancer and its mechanism. The findings of this study provide new perspectives on the field, which may shed light on a beneficial impact on further etiological studies, diagnosis, and treatment for lung cancer.

Gut microbiome and human health: Exploring how the probiotic genus Lactobacillus modulate immune responses

The highest density of microbes resides in human gastrointestinal tract, known as “Gut microbiome”. Of note, the members of the genus Lactobacillus that belong to phyla Firmicutes are the most important probiotic bacteria of the gut microbiome. These gut-residing Lactobacillus species not only communicate with each other but also with the gut epithelial lining to balance the gut barrier integrity, mucosal barrier defence and ameliorate the host immune responses. The human body suffers from several inflammatory diseases affecting the gut, lungs, heart, bone or neural tissues. Mounting evidence supports the significant role of Lactobacillus spp. and their components (such as metabolites, peptidoglycans, and/or surface proteins) in modulatingimmune responses, primarily through exchange of immunological signals between gastrointestinal tract and distant organs. This bidirectional crosstalk which is mediated by Lactobacillus spp. promotes anti-inflammatory response, thereby supporting the improvement of symptoms pertaining to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), neuroinflammatory diseases (such as multiple sclerosis, alzheimer’s disease, parkinson’s disease), cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic infections in patients. The metabolic disorders, obesity and diabetes are characterized by a low-grade inflammation. Genus Lactobacillus alleviates metabolic disorders by regulating the oxidative stress response and inflammatory pathways. Osteoporosis is also associated with bone inflammation and resorption. The Lactobacillus spp. and their metabolites act as powerful immune cell controllers and exhibit a regulatory role in bone resorption and formation, supporting bone health. Thus, this review demonstrated the mechanisms and summarized the evidence of the benefit of Lactobacillus spp. in alleviating inflammatory diseases pertaining to different organs from animal and clinical trials. The present narrative review explores in detail the complex interactions between the gut-dwelling Lactobacillus spp. and the immune components in distant organs to promote host’s health.