Probiotic exopolysaccharide protects from systemic infection, inducing dual-functioning macrophages that restrict bacterial growth and limit inflammation. Journal Article

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Authors: Paik, W; Alonzo, F; Knight, KL
Article Title: Probiotic exopolysaccharide protects from systemic infection, inducing dual-functioning macrophages that restrict bacterial growth and limit inflammation.
Abstract: causes severe systemic infection with high mortality rates. We previously identified exopolysaccharide (EPS) from a probiotic, , that induces anti-inflammatory macrophages with an M2 phenotype and protects mice from -induced colitis. We tested if EPS could protect from systemic infection induced by and found that EPS-treated mice had enhanced survival as well as reduced weight loss, systemic inflammation, and bacterial burden. While macrophages from EPS-treated mice display an M2 phenotype, they also restrict growth of internalized through reactive oxygen species (ROS), reminiscent of pro-inflammatory phagocytes. These EPS-induced macrophages also limit T cell activation by superantigens, and EPS abrogates systemic induction of IFN-? after infection. We conclude that EPS is an immunomodulatory agent that induces "hybrid" macrophages that bolster anti-bacterial immunity and simultaneously limit inflammation, reducing disease burden and promoting host survival.
Journal Title: Infection and immunity
ISSN: 1098-5522; 0019-9567
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved  
Date Published: 2018