Abstract
Background
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in maintaining intestinal epithelial homeostasis and are normally kept at low levels via antioxidant compounds. Dysregulation of ROS can lead to intestinal inflammation and contribute to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Select gut microbes possess the enzymatic machinery to produce antioxidants whereas others can dysregulate levels of ROS. Our model microbe, Lactobacillus reuteri (ATCC PTA 6475), has been demonstrated to reduce intestinal inflammation in mice models. It contains the genes encoding two distinct GshA-like glutamylcysteine ligases. We hypothesize that L. reuteri can secrete γ-glutamylcysteine to suppress ROS, minimize NFκB activation and regulate secretion of e pithelial cytokines.
Methods & Results
Conditioned media from L. reuteri was analyzed via mass spectrometry to confirm the presence of γ-glutamylcysteine. All cysteine containing products including γ-glutamylcysteine were fluorescently tagged in the conditioned media and then incubated with HT29 cell monolayers as well as human jejunal enteroid (HJE) monolayers. γ-glutamylcysteine was demonstrated to enter intestinal epithelial cells based on microscopy. Next, a Thioltracker assay was used to show increased intracellular glutathione levels by L. reuteri secreted γ-glutamylcysteine. HT29 cells and HJEs were then treated with IL-1β or hydrogen peroxide, and L. reuteri metabolites as well as γ-glutamylcysteine significantly suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine driven ROS and IL-8 production. L. reuteri secreted products also reduced activity of NFκB as determined by a luciferase reporter assay. γ-glutamylcysteine deficient mutants were generated by targeted mutagenesis of GshA genes, and these mutant L. reuteri strains had a diminished ability to suppress IL-8 production and ROS. To further test the role of L. reuteri secreted γ-glutamylcysteine in vivo, a 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)- induced mouse colitis model was used. Adolescent mice were orogavaged with PBS, L. reuteri, L. reuteri GshA2 mutant, or γ-glutamylcysteine for a week after which TNBS was rectally administered to induce colitis. We demonstrate that L. reuteri and γ-glutamylcysteine can suppress histologic inflammation compared to PBS control and L. reuteri GshA2 mutant groups.
Conclusions
Together these data indicate that L. reuteri secretes γ-glutamylcysteine which can enter the intestinal epithelial cells and modulate epithelial cytokine production. It acts via suppression of ROS and NFκB which then decreases IL-8 production. We are able to demonstrate this in vitro in both HT 29 cells and HJEs. We now also demonstrate this in vivo in a mouse colitis model. These experiments highlight a prominent role for ROS intermediates in microbiome-mammalian cell signaling processes involved in immune responses and intestinal inflammation.
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