Mycobacterium bovis BCG killed by extended freeze-drying induces an immunoregulatory profile and protects against atherosclerosis.
J Intern Med 2014;
275:49-58. [PMID:
23962000 DOI:
10.1111/joim.12127]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the arterial wall that leads to myocardial infarction and stroke. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and IL-10 exert significant anti-atherogenic effects in experimental models of atherosclerosis by modulating vascular inflammation. We have previously shown that Mycobacterium bovis BCG killed by extended freeze-drying (EFD BCG) decreases lung and colon inflammation by recruiting IL-10-producing Tregs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of EFD BCG on the development of atherosclerosis.
DESIGN
We used two strains of atherosclerosis-prone mice: Ldlr(-/-) (four or six EFD BCG injections) and Apoe(-/-) (six injections).
RESULTS
In both models, EFD BCG significantly reduced the size of atherosclerotic lesions, increased IL-10 production and reduced the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-13, KC and tumour necrosis factor-α). Shortly after treatment with EFD BCG, the number of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and Foxp3(+) Tregs in the draining lymph nodes increased. EFD BCG also led to accumulation of Tregs, but not of pDCs in the spleen, and reduced activity of NF-κB and increased activity of PPAR-γ in both the spleen and vascular tissue of treated mice.
CONCLUSION
EFD BCG has atheroprotective effects through IL-10 production and Treg expansion. These findings support a novel approach to the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
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