Short chain fatty acids (propionic and hexanoic) decrease Staphylococcus aureus internalization into bovine mammary epithelial cells and modulate antimicrobial peptide expression

Abstract Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are critical nutrients for ruminants and are mainly obtained from bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates. In addition to their nutrimental function, SCFAs have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as immunomodulatory roles. It has been reported that sodium butyrate reduces Staphylococcus aureus internalization into bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMEC) and modulates antimicrobial peptide mRNA expression. Nevertheless, it has not been evaluated if sodium propionate (NaP) and sodium hexanoate (NaH) have similar actions. Since they are present in milk, the aim of this study was to determinate the effect of both SCFAs on S. aureus internalization into bMEC and to evaluate their effects on modulation of innate immunity elements. Our data showed that both SCFAs (0.25–5 mM) did not affect S. aureus growth and bMEC viability. By gentamicin protection assay (MOI 30:1) we showed that NaP and NaH reduced bacterial internalization into bMEC, which ranged 27–55% and 39–65%, respectively, in relation to non treated controls. Also, both SCFAs up-regulate tracheal antimicrobial peptide (TAP) mRNA expression; however, bovine neutrophil β-defensin 5 (BNBD5) mRNA expression was not modified or was down-regulated. In addition, TAP and BNBD5 expression was up-regulated by S. aureus . Finally, the decrease in bacterial internalization under SCFA treatments is not related to nitric oxide production. In conclusion, NaP and NaH decrease S. aureus internalization into bMEC and modulate TAP gene expression, which may be related to the reduction in bacterial internalization.