Original Article
Copyright ©2012 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2012; 18(19): 2344-2356
Published online May 21, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i19.2344
Lactobacillus crispatus M206119 exacerbates murine DSS-colitis by interfering with inflammatory responses
Fu-Xi Zhou, Lu Chen, Xiao-Wei Liu, Chun-Hui Ouyang, Xiao-Ping Wu, Xue-Hong Wang, Chun-Lian Wang, Fang-Gen Lu
Fu-Xi Zhou, Lu Chen, Xiao-Wei Liu, Chun-Hui Ouyang, Xiao-Ping Wu, Xue-Hong Wang, Chun-Lian Wang, Fang-Gen Lu, Division of Digestive Disease, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China
Author contributions: Zhou FX, Liu XW and Lu FG made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the research and manuscript writing; Chen L, Ouyang CH, Wu XP, Wang XH, and Wang CL performed the majority of experiments; all authors approved the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Dr. Xiao-Wei Liu, Division of Digestive Disease, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China. liuxw@csu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-731-85295035 Fax: +86-731-85295035
Received: November 16, 2011
Revised: February 1, 2012
Accepted: February 16, 2012
Published online: May 21, 2012
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of Lactobacillus crispatus (L. crispatus) strain China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) M206119 in intestinal inflammation.

METHODS: Forty 8-wk-old Balb/c mice (20 ± 2 g) were divided into four groups of 10 mice each. Three groups that had received dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) were administered normal saline, sulfasalazine or CCTCC M206119 strain, and the fourth group received none of these. We assessed the severity of colitis using a disease activity index, measured the colon length and weight, collected stools and mesenteric lymph nodes for bacterial microflora analysis. One centimeter of the proximal colon, middle colon and distal colon were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin, dehydrated in ethanol, and embedded in paraffin. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Protective factors zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and β-defensin 2 were detected by immunoblotting. The features of CCTCC M206119 strain were identified based on morphology, biochemical profile, and 16S RNA sequencing.

RESULTS: DSS-colitis animals treated with CCTCC M206119 had markedly more severe disease, with greater weight loss, diarrhea, fecal bleeding, and shortened colon length. In addition, the CCTCC-M206119-treated group had comparatively higher histological scores and more neutrophil infiltration than the controls. Expression of protective factors ZO-1 and β-defensin 2 was downregulated due to destruction of the mucosal barrier after CCTCC M206119 strain treatment. An in vitro assay demonstrated that CCTCC M206119 strain increased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB in epithelial cells. Intestinal proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokine responses were evaluated. Proinflammatory colonic cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) levels were clearly increased in CCTCC-M206119-treated animals, whereas anti-inflammatory colonic cytokine (IL-10) level was lowered compared with saline or 5-aminosalicylic-acid-treated DSS-colitis mice. Next, CCTCC M206119 strain was characterized as L. crispatus by microscopic morphology, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene level.

CONCLUSION: Not all lactobacilli are beneficial for intestinal inflammation, and L. crispatus CCTCC M206119 strain is involved in exacerbation of intestinal inflammation in DSS-colitis mice.

Keywords: Colitis; Lactobacillus crispatus; Intestine; Dextra sodium sulfate; Mice