Lactobacillus rhamnosus 2016SWU.05.0601 regulates immune balance in ovalbumin-sensitized mice by modulating the immune-related transcription factors expression and gut microbiota.

BACKGROUND Probiotics regulate host immune balance, which may reduce immune-related diseases. The effects and mechanisms of Lactobacillus rhamnosus 2016SWU.05.0601 (Lr-0601) on immune response in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice were explored. RESULTS Lr-0601 reduced serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and OVA-IgE and attenuated the alteration in lung pathology in OVA-sensitized mice. Lr-0601 blocked OVA-induced up-regulation in serum T helper (Th) 2 and Th17 cytokines but increased the serum levels of Th1 and regulatory T (Treg) cytokines in OVA-sensitized mice. OVA also markedly reduced the protein levels of spleen T-box transcription factor (T-bet) and forkhead/winged helix transcription factor p3 (Foxp3), leading to the reduced mRNA expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-10. By contrast, OVA markedly increased the protein expression of spleen GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3) and retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) as well as the mRNA expression of spleen IL-4 and IL-17. These changes induced by OVA were reversed by Lr-0601. Moreover, Lr-0601 helped alleviate OVA-induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. Correlation was found between specific genera and immune-associated cytokines. CONCLUSION The combined results indicate that Lr-0601 modulated the balance of Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 in OVA-sensitized mice, which was associated with the regulation of immune-related transcription factors and gut microbiota. Lr-0601 can potentially be used as a probiotic to prevent immune-related diseases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.