Probiotics for the airways: Potential to improve epithelial and immune homeostasis. Issue 10 (28th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martens, K.; Pugin, B.; De Boeck, I.; Spacova, I.; Steelant, B.; Seys, S. F.; Lebeer, S.; Hellings, P. W.
• Is Part Of: Allergy. Volume 73:Issue 10(2018)
• Page Start: 1954
• Page End: 1963
• Publication Date: 2018-06-28
• Subjects: epithelial barrier -- Lactobacilli -- microbiota -- probiotics -- tight junctions; Allergy -- Periodicals; 616.97
• DOI: 10.1111/all.13495
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0105-4538

Abstract

Abstract: Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefit on the host. The therapeutic effects of probiotics have been mostly studied in the gastrointestinal tract, but recent evidence points toward the potential of these bacteria to prevent and/or treat chronic airway diseases. In this review, possible mechanisms of action of probiotics in the airways are described, with a particular focus on their capacity to modulate the epithelial barrier function and their mode of interaction with the immune system. Indeed, probiotic bacteria, mostly lactobacilli, can promote the expression and regulation of tight junctions and adherence junctions, resulting in the restoration of a defective epithelial barrier. These bacteria interact with the epithelial barrier and immune cells through pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll‐like receptors, which upon activation can stimulate or suppress various immune responses. Finally, the clinical potential of probiotics to treat inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract, and the difference between their mode of application (eg, oral or nasal) are discussed here. Abstract : The clinical potential of probiotics has gained interest as a novel oral and/or nasal treatment option for chronic airway diseases. Probiotics interact, via their microorganism‐associated molecular patterns (MAMPs), with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on epithelial cells. This interaction can modulate tight junctions (TJs) and adherence junctions (AJs), which results in the restoration of a defective epithelial barrier. Probiotics are able to modulate host immune responses via interactions with dendritic cells (DCs.), which on their turn promote regulatory T cells (Tregs) and reduce T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cells.