Recombinant CRAMP-producing Lactococcus lactis attenuates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by colonic colonization and inhibiting p38/NF-κB signaling

  • Jiahong Li State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu; and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P. R. China
  • Shiwen Yu Department of Obstetrics, Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, P. R. China
  • Xiaohua Pan State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu; and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P. R. China
  • Ming Zhang State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu; and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P. R. China
  • Zhuwu Lv Department of Obstetrics, Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, P. R. China
  • Li-Long Pan Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P. R. China
  • Jia Sun State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu; and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, P. R. China
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v65.5570
Keywords: CRAMP; colitis; Lactococcus lactis NZ9000; Usp45; probiotics.

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are generally characterized by persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea caused by chronic inflammation in the intestine. Cathelicidins are antimicrobial peptides with pleiotropic roles in anti-infection, wound healing, and immune modulation. However, the sensitivity to the acidic environment and short half-life of cathelicidins limit their application in IBD treatment. Recombinant cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP)-producing Lactococcus lactis may represent a potential approach for IBD therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop recombinant CRAMP-producing L. lactis NZ9000 and explore the role and mechanism of recombinant L. lactis NZ9000 expressing CRAMP in colitis.

Design: We constructed two strains of CRAMP-producing L. lactis NZ9000 with different plasmids pMG36e (L.L-pMU45CR) or pNZ8148 (L.L-pNU45CR), which use a Usp45 secretion signal to drive the secretion of CRAMP. Bacterial suspensions were orally supplemented to mice with a syringe for 4 days after dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treatment. Body weight change, disease active score, colon length, and colonic histology were determined. The expression of tight junction (ZO-1, ZO-2, and Occludin) and cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10) in colon was performed by qPCR. The expression of p-ERK, p-p38, and p-p65 was determined by Western blot analysis.

Results: Both CRAMP-producing L. lactis NZ9000 strains protected against colitis, as shown by reduced weight loss and disease activity score, improved colon shortening, and histopathological injury. In addition, CRAMP-producing L. lactis NZ9000 restored gut barrier by upregulating ZO-1, ZO-2, and occludin. Moreover, CRAMP-producing L. lactis NZ9000 regulated the colonic cytokines profile with reduced IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α production, and increased IL-10 production. By further analysis, we found that CRAMP-producing L. lactis NZ9000 reduced the expression of p-p38 and p-p65.

Conclusions: Together, our data suggested that CRAMP-secreting L. lactis NZ9000 attenuated dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by colonic colonization and inhibiting p38/NF-κB signaling. Orally administered recombinant CRAMP-secreting L. lactis NZ9000 represents a potential strategy for colitis therapy.

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Published
2021-09-27
How to Cite
Li J., Yu S., Pan X., Zhang M., Lv Z., Pan L.-L., & Sun J. (2021). Recombinant CRAMP-producing Lactococcus lactis attenuates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by colonic colonization and inhibiting p38/NF-κB signaling. Food & Nutrition Research, 65. https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v65.5570
Issue
Vol 65 (2021)
Section
Original Articles
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