Abstract
Probiotic and prebiotics, often called "immune-enhancing" feed additives, are believed to deal with pathogens, preventing the need of an immune response and reducing tissue damage. In this study, we investigated if a recently developed β-galactomannan (βGM) had a similar protective role compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. Boulardii (Scb), a proven probiotic, in the context of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection. ETEC causes inflammation, diarrhea and intestinal damage in piglets, resulting in large economic loses worldwide. We observed that Scb and βGM products inhibited in vitro adhesion of ETEC on cell surface of porcine intestinal IPI-2I cells. Our data showed that Scb and βGM decreased the mRNA ETEC-induced gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, GM-CSF and chemokines CCL2, CCL20 and CXCL8 on intestinal IPI-2I. Furthermore, we investigated the putative immunomodulatory role of Scb and βGM on porcine monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) per se and under infection conditions. We observed a slight up-regulation of mRNA for TNF-α and CCR7 receptor after co-incubation of DC with Scb and βGM. However, no differences were found in DC activation upon ETEC infection and Scb or βGM co-culture. Therefore, our results indicate that, similar to probiotic Scb, prebiotic βGM may protect intestinal epithelial cells against intestinal pathogens. Finally, although these products may modulate DC activation, their effect under ETEC challenge conditions remains to be elucidated.
Highlights
The infection by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one on the most important causes of neonatal and postweaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets
One of the most common ETEC in swine is serotype 0149 which carries the K88 (F4) adhesin that enables the attachment of the bacteria to the intestinal epithelium
ETEC colonizes ileum [1,2], penetrate the epithelium and its pathogenesis is ascribed to the production of different combination of heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) enterotoxins [3,4]
Summary
The infection by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one on the most important causes of neonatal and postweaning diarrhea (PWD) in piglets. One of the most common ETEC in swine is serotype 0149 which carries the K88 (F4) adhesin that enables the attachment of the bacteria to the intestinal epithelium. ETEC colonizes ileum [1,2], penetrate the epithelium and its pathogenesis is ascribed to the production of different combination of heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable (ST) enterotoxins [3,4]. Antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) have been long used in animal feeding to prevent neonatal and PWD in piglets. The European ban of AGPs in animal production (EC 1831/ 2003) increased the need to develop new alternatives [6] to control and prevent animal colonization by pathogenic bacteria and somehow guarantee animal welfare and food safety
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