Enterococcus durans TN-3 Induces Regulatory T Cells and Suppresses the Development of Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Experimental Colitis.

Toshihiro Kanda,Atsushi Nishida,Hirotsugu Imaeda,Akira Andoh,Shigeki Bamba,Mitsushige Sugimoto,Masashi Ohno,Osamu Inatomi,Takashi Shimada,Udai P Singh

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159705

Toshihiro Kanda, Atsushi Nishida + Show 8 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159705

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Abstract

Background and AimsProbiotic properties of Enterococcus strains have been reported previously. In this study, we investigated the effects of Enterococcus (E.) durans TN-3 on the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis.MethodsBALB/c mice were fed with 4.0% DSS in normal chow. Administration of TN-3 (10mg/day) was initiated 7days before the start of DSS feeding. Mucosal cytokine expression was analyzed by real time-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The lymphocyte subpopulation were analyzed by flow cytometry. The gut microbiota profile was analyzed by a terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (T-RFLP).ResultsThe disease activity index and histological colitis score were significantly lower in the DSS plus TN-3 group than in the DSS group. The mucosal mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A and IFN-γ) decreased significantly in the DSS plus TN-3 group as compared to the DSS group. The proportion of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the mucosa increased significantly in the DSS plus TN-3 group as compared to the DSS group. Both fecal butyrate levels and the diversity of fecal microbial community were significantly higher in the TN-3 plus DSS group than in the DSS group.ConclusionsE. durans TN-3 exerted an inhibitory effect on the development of DSS colitis. This action might be mediated by the induction of Treg cells and the restoration of the diversity of the gut microbiota.

Highlights

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), are chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders of unknown etiology [1, 2]
The disease activity index and histological colitis score were significantly lower in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) plus TN-3 group than in the DSS group
E. durans TN-3 exerted an inhibitory effect on the development of DSS colitis

Summary

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), are chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders of unknown etiology [1, 2]. Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide beneficial effects to the host when administered in adequate amounts [8]. They exert these effects by modulating the gut microbiota and promoting mucosal barrier functions and resistance to pathogens. AvramHananel et al reported that E. durans strain M4-5, isolated from the human colon, improved intestinal inflammation [11]. Kondoh et al reported that E. durans strain TN-3, isolated from deep seawater, effectively suppressed dermal eosinophil accumulation in allergen-primed mice [12]. We investigated the effects of Enterococcus (E.) durans TN-3 on the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis

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