Lactobacillus paracasei modulates the immune system of Galleria mellonella and protects against Candida albicans infection

Author(s)

Rossoni, Rodnei Dennis ; Fuchs, Beth Burgwyn ; de Barros, Patricia Pimentel ; Velloso, Marisol dos Santos ; Cardoso Jorge, Antonio Olavo ; Junqueira, Juliana Campos ; Mylonakis, Eleftherios

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 12, n. 3 MAR 7 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 22

Abstract

Probiotics have been described as a potential strategy to control opportunistic infections due to their ability to stimulate the immune system. Using the non-vertebrate model host Galleria mellonella, we evaluated whether clinical isolates of Lactobacillus spp. are able to provide protection against Candida albicans infection. Among different strains of Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus fermentum, we verified that L. paracasei 28.4 strain had the greatest ability to prolong the survival of larvae infected with a lethal dose of C. albicans. We found that the injection of 10(7) cells/larvae of L. paracasei into G. mellonella larvae infected by C. albicans increased the survival of these insects compared to the control group (P = 0.0001). After that, we investigated the immune mechanisms involved in the protection against C. albicans infection, evaluating the number of hemocytes and the gene expression of antifungal peptides. We found that L. paracasei increased the hemocyte quantity (2.38 x 10(6) cells/mL) in relation to the control group (1.29 x 10(6) cells/mL), indicating that this strain is capable of raising the number of circulating hemocytes into the G. mellonella hemolymph. Further, we found that L. paracasei 28.4 upregulated genes that encode the antifungal peptides galiomicin and gallerymicin. In relation to the control group, L. paracasei 28.4 increased gene expression of galiomicin by 6.67-fold and 17.29-fold for gallerymicin. Finally, we verified that the prophylactic provision of probiotic led to a significant reduction of the number of fungal cells in G. mellonella hemolymph. In conclusion, L. paracasei 28.4 can modulate the immune system of G. mellonella and protect against candidiasis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/09770-9 - Isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus spp. from oral cavity and its probiotic action in Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans
• Grantee: Juliana Campos Junqueira
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/25181-8 - Isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus spp. from oral cavity and their probiotic action in Candida albicans: biofilm formation, infection in invertebrate models and EFG1, HWP1 and ALS1 gene expression
• Grantee: Rodnei Dennis Rossoni
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/12458-4 - Probiotic action of Lactobacillus spp. on Candida albicans infection: study in invertebrate model hosts
• Grantee: Rodnei Dennis Rossoni
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate