Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) has beneficial effects in several human diseases. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common severe gastrointestinal condition affecting 7% of premature infants. Our preliminary studies demonstrated in neonatal mice with experimental NEC that LR feeding reduces mortality and intestinal inflammation, while increasing intestinal mucosal regulatory T cells (Tregs), cells with anti-inflammatory properties.
Specific Aims : 1. To determine whether LR facilitates the generation of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) via bacterial recognition receptors on DC (sentinel cells) called Toll like receptors (TLRs). Gut inflammation is believed to be sustained by DC interaction with mucosal helper T cells (Th1 and Th17) and reduced by Tregs. We will measure NEC severity, response to LR, percentage of Tregs, Th1, and Th17 effectors in mice genetically deficient in TLRs. 2. To elucidate if LR-conditioned Tregs will be more efficient to suppress Th1/Th17 effectors in the inflamed gut, we will adoptively transfer Tregs bearing congenic markers from LR-fed mice to newborn mice undergoing NEC to determine if exogenous Tregs protect. 3. To determine whether LR is capable of inducing Tregs (iTregs) in the intestinal mucosa when natural Tregs (nTreg) are depleted, we will deplete nTregs by anti-CD25 antibody and determine if LR enhances iTreg development and remains capable of reducing intestinal inflammation.
These aims will provide novel insights into mechanisms of Lactobacillus reuteri regulation of neonatal intestinal inflammation. Results will facilitate the selection of biomarkers to follow the evolution of NEC and to compare the potency of different probiotics in the human infant.
Evidence is emerging that probiotics (health-promoting bacteria, including Lactobacillus reuteri) have a positive impact on human intestinal diseases, including the prevention of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), with a prevalence of 7% in low birth weight infants and a mortality rate of >20%. Our human studies of Lactobacillus reuteri, have included human trials of safety and biomarkers (Phase I Adult Safety RCT (U01 AT003519 under IND) and Phase 1 in infants with colic (R34 AT006727)). Our laboratory studies using rat and mouse models have provided a framework which will allow us to establish a central mechanism by which Lactobacillus reuteri protects from NEC. We propose to identify the key anti-inflammatory white blood cell type(s) (including dendritic cells and regulatory T cells) which are activated by Lactobacillus reuteri in newborns; and the numbers of these cells, assessed using very small quantities of blood, and could be used as biomarkers to allow us to compare the potency of different probiotics in the human infant.
| Hoang, Thomas K; He, Baokun; Wang, Ting et al. (2018) Protective effect of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 against experimental necrotizing enterocolitis is mediated by Toll-like receptor 2. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 315:G231-G240 |
| He, Baokun; Hoang, Thomas K; Tran, Dat Q et al. (2017) Adenosine A2A Receptor Deletion Blocks the Beneficial Effects of Lactobacillus reuteri in Regulatory T-Deficient Scurfy Mice. Front Immunol 8:1680 |
| He, Baokun; Hoang, Thomas K; Wang, Ting et al. (2017) Resetting microbiota by Lactobacillus reuteri inhibits T reg deficiency-induced autoimmunity via adenosine A2A receptors. J Exp Med 214:107-123 |
| Liu, Yuying; Hoang, Thomas K; Wang, Ting et al. (2016) Circulating L-selectin expressing-T cell subsets correlate with the severity of Foxp3 deficiency autoimmune disease. Int J Clin Exp Pathol 9:899-909 |
