Preclinical Immunomodulation by the Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve M-16V in Early Life

• Published in: PloS one 2016-11, Vol.11 (11), p.e0166082-e0166082
• Main Authors: Rigo-Adrover, Maria Del Mar, Franch, Àngels, Castell, Margarida, Pérez-Cano, Francisco José
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens; B cells; Bacteria; Bifidobacterium breve; Bifidobacterium breve - immunology; Biology and Life Sciences; Breastfeeding & lactation; Cell growth; Cytokines; Dendritic cells; Dietary supplements; Dietary Supplements - microbiology; Feces - microbiology; Female; Homing; Immune system; Immunity; Immunity, Mucosal - immunology; Immunoglobulin A; Immunomodulation; Immunomodulation - immunology; Inflammatory bowel disease; Intestine; L-selectin; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus rhamnosus; Lymph nodes; Lymph Nodes - immunology; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes T; Maturation; Medicine and Health Sciences; Microbiota; Mucosal immunity; Neonates; Newborn infants; Pregnancy; Probiotics; Probiotics - pharmacology; Probiòtics; Rates (Animals de laboratori); Rats; Rats as laboratory animals; Rats, Inbred Lew; Sistema immunològic; Splenocytes; Suckling behavior; Suplements nutritius; T cell receptors; T cells; TLR4 protein; Toll-like receptors
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166082

This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve M-16V on the maturation of the intestinal and circulating immune system during suckling. In order to achieve this purpose, neonatal Lewis rats were supplemented with the probiotic strain from the 6th to the 18th day of life. The animals were weighed during the study, and faecal samples were obtained and evaluated daily. On day 19, rats were euthanized and intestinal wash samples, mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells, splenocytes and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were obtained. The probiotic supplementation in early life did not modify the growth curve and did not enhance the systemic immune maturation. However, it increased the proportion of cells bearing TLR4 in the MLN and IEL, and enhanced the percentage of the integrin αEβ7+ and CD62L+ cells in the MLN and that of the integrin αEβ7+ cells in the IEL, suggesting an enhancement of the homing process of naïve T lymphocytes to the MLN, and the retention of activated lymphocytes in the intraepithelial compartment. Interestingly, B. breve M-16V enhanced the intestinal IgA synthesis. In conclusion, supplementation with the probiotic strain B. breve M-16V during suckling improves the development of mucosal immunity in early life.