Probiotic modulation of dendritic cells co-cultured with intestinal epithelial cells

AIM:To investigate cytokine production and cell surface phenotypes of dendritic cells (DC) in the presence of epithelial cells stimulated by probiotics.METHODS:Mouse DC were cultured alone or together with mouse epithelial cell monolayers in normal or inverted systems and were stimulated with heat-killed probiotic bacteria,Bifidobacterium lactis AD011 (BL),Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4 (BB),Lactobacillus casei IBS041 (LC),and Lactobacillus acidophilus AD031 (LA),for 12 h.Cytokine levels in the culture supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and phenotypic analysis of DC was investigated by flow cytometry.RESULTS:BB and LC in single-cultured DC increased the expression of I-Ad,CD86 and CD40 (I-Ad,18.51 vs 30.88,46.11;CD86,62.74 vs 92.7,104.12;CD40,0.67 vs 6.39,3.37,P < 0.05).All of the experimental probiot-ics increased the production of inflammatory cytokines,interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α.However,in the normal co-culture systems,LC and LA decreased the expression of I-A d (39.46 vs 30.32,33.26,P < 0.05),and none of the experimental probiotics increased the levels of IL-6 or TNF-α.In the inverted coculture systems,LC decreased the expression of CD40 (1.36 vs-2.27,P < 0.05),and all of the experimental probiotics decreased the levels of IL-6.In addition,BL increased the production of IL-10 (103.8 vs 166.0,P < 0.05) and LC and LA increased transforming growth factor-β secretion (235.9 vs 618.9,607.6,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:These results suggest that specific probiotic strains exert differential immune modulation mediated by the interaction of dendritic cells and epithelial cells in the homeostasis of gastrointestinal tract.

Decomposition of Solutions in Front of the Interface Induced by Directional Crystallization

Here we show the results of experimental observation of decomposition of the solution components into the neighboring cells. The liquid solution under crystallization first gets into the unstable state and then decomposes. The decomposition result is fixed in the solid phase as inhomogeneous component distribution. Our experimental results enable to argue that the eutectic pattern forms due to interface instability and spinodal decomposition of non-equilibrium solution forming in front of the interface.

Effect of prenatal antioxidant intake on infants' respiratory infection is modified by a CD14 polymorphism

Background:Prenatal maternal diet may influence disease susceptibility in offspring with specific genetic backgrounds.We hypothesized that interactions between prenatal antioxidant intake and polymorphisms in immunity genes influence respiratory tract infection (RTI) susceptibility in infants at 12 months of age.Methods:This study included 550 infants.In the Cohort for Childhood Origin of Asthma and Allergic Diseases (COCOA) birth cohort study,prenatal maternal diet was assessed by administering a food frequency questionnaire.Infants' cord blood was genotyped for CD14 (rs2569190),TLR4 (rs1927911),and GSDMB (rs4794820) polymorphisms by the TaqMan method.Results:Higher prenatal intake of total fruit and vegetables (FV) was associated with the decreased risk of RTI in offspring (P-trend=0.0430).In children with TT genotype at rs2569190,a higher prenatal intake of vitamins A and C,fruits,and total FV decreased RTI risk (P-trend <0.05),while in infants with TC+CC genotype,a higher prenatal intake of fruit increased RTI risk (P-trend <0.05).When analyzing the 3 genotypes,children with TT genotype at rs2569190 were more protected against RTIs compared with those with CC genotype with respect to vitamin C and fruits [odds ratio (OR)=5.04 and OR=10.30,respectively].In children with CC genotype at rs1927911,RTI risk showed a dose-response association with a higher prenatal intake of vitamin C (P for interaction<0.05).A higher prenatal intake of fruits and total FV reduced RTI risk in infants with GA+AA genotype of rs4794820 (P for interaction<0.05).Conclusion:Prenatal antioxidant intake may reduce RTI risk in infants and this relationship may be modified by CD14,TLR4,and GSDMB polymorphisms.

Predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a major contributor to liver diseases globally,yet there are limited studies investigating the impact of diet and lifestyle factors on its development.This study aimed to examine the association between the prevalence of NAFLD and predicted pro-inflammatory high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)score.Methods:We included 1,076 Korean adults who underwent a medical examination at the Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Healthcare Center in Korea between May and December 2011 and updated in 2021.The predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score was derived from pro-inflammatory demographic,lifestyle,dietary,and anthropometric factors,and NAFLD was diagnosed using liver ultrasound.Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios(ORs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)of NAFLD odds according to predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score were estimated using logistic regression at a two-sided P<0.05.Results:Among the 1,076 participants,320 had NAFLD.The multivariable-adjusted ORs and 95%CIs for NAFLD by tertiles of predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score were 1.00,3.30(2.06,5.30),18.25(10.47,31.81;P<0.0001)in men and women combined,1.00,1.77(1.10,2.84),and 3.26(2.02,5.28;P<0.0001)among men only,and 1.00,3.03(1.39,6.62),and 16.71(7.05,39.63;P<0.0001)among women only.Conclusions:Predicted pro-inflammatory hs-CRP score was associated with higher odds of NAFLD.Adopting dietary and lifestyle changes related to lower inflammation might be a valuable strategy for preventing NAFLD.