Lactobacillus johnsoniisupplementation modulates functional response of bone-marrow derived dendritic cells in respiratory allergy and viral infection

Abstract

Abstract The immunomodulatory properties of probiotics are particularly important at the establishment of Th 1-Th 2immune balance early in life. A skewing to Th 2immune response driven by dendritic cell regulation can lead to airway alteration during respiratory allergy and respiratory virus infection. Previous work from our lab have determined that oral supplementation of mice with Lactobacillus johnsonii (Lj) resulted to be protective against viral and allergen airway exposure. In order to further analyze whether Lj supplementation of moms could alter offspring responses to allergic disease, female mice were supplemented daily with Lj for a week before mating. Allergen-sensitized offspring from Lj supplemented-mothers were protected from airway hyperreactivity, had a diminished mucus production and shown a reduced allergen-restimulated Th 2cytokine response upon later life allergen-induced responses. Maternal Lj supplementation changed the functional response of bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC) activated in vitro with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), decreased expression of pathological cytokines and chemokines in non-sensitized pups, but increased protective innate cytokines expression in allergic offspring. Neonates supplemented directly with Lj before early life RSV infection altered long term inflammatory activity of BMDC by reducing expression of proinflammatory innate cytokines. These results have shown the immunomodulatory potential of Lj supplementation during pre- and post-natal periods to protect from allergic and viral immune responses in distal mucosal surfaces by altering systemic immune cell responses. RO1HL144858