A Conceptual Framework for Defining Mechanisms of Probiotic Action Prof. Sarah Lebeer UAntwerpen (BE) ILSI Session - How Do Prebiotics and Probiotics Work? Mechanistic Insights Into Their Function
Probiotics Task Force & Expert Groups In-depth analyses of probiotic benefits, mechanisms and challenges aiming to advance probiotic knowledge at large Objectives Expert group mechanisms of action to investigate what is currently known about the mechanisms of probiotics action (direct and indirect) in relation to demonstrated (clinical) benefits to identify gaps in the current knowledge to provide suggestions for the future
Expert group Probiotic MOA Prof. Michiel Kleerebezem Chair Wageningen University NL Dr Johan van Hylckama - Vice Chair Chr Hansen DK Dr Arthur Ouwehand DuPont de Nemours FI Dr Gabriela Bergonzelli & Dr. A. Mercenier Nestlé CH Dr Sylvie Binda Danone FR Dr Peter Bron NIZO food research BV NL Dr Gabriele Gross Mead Johnson Nutrition NL Prof. Colin Hill University College Cork IE Prof. Reetta Satokari University of Helsinki FI Prof. Sarah Lebeer University of Antwerp BE Dr Tobias Recker ILSI Europe BE 3
Elie Metchnikoff pioneer lactic acid bacteria slow aging through their ability to produce lactic acid and inhibition of the proteinfermenting intestinal microbes (1908) remarkably similar to definition WHO panel 100y later: live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. impossible to prove either the clinical efficacy or the underlying molecular mechanism, with the scientific tools available at his time 4
Where are we now? Commercial success, although stagnation in EU Probiotic research = mature scientific field > 1000s of papers Many clinical studies & meta-analyses document health effects (eg lactose digestion, AAD, NEC, etc.) Many mechanistic studies on molecular interactions thanks to molecular tools (mutagenesis, biotechnology, microbiome sequencing, biomarker improvement, etc.) HOWEVER, few examples exist where such molecular activities adequately explain the measured or targeted clinical effect
explain Objective expert group Molecularmechanism of cross-talk at mucosal level Cellularresponses in the mucosa (local) Cellular/ physiology effect in host (mucosal and systemic) Clinical benefit (meta-analysis) predict
Example of lactose digestion
How to rank evidence? Health benefit Physiological function Microbial interaction Reduced lactose intolerance Hydrolysis of lactose Delivery and release of b-galactosidase symptoms Reduced risk for NEC Improved competitive exclusion Direct antagonisms Production of SCFA and other antimicrobial substances Competition of habitat and/or nutrients Improved immune maturation Improved intestinal barrier Reduced risk for atopic dermatitis Improved immune maturation Modulation of maternal immune system Modulate intestinal microbiota Improved intestinal barrier Reduced risk for/shorter AAD and other diarrhoeas including H. pylori eradication Improved competitive exclusion Direct antagonisms Production of SCFA and other antimicrobial substances Competition of habitat and/or nutrients Improved mucosal immune response Shortening of long colonic transit Stimulate colonic motility Production of SCFA Interaction with 5-HT receptors Reduced risk for/shorter RTI Modulation of mucosal immune system Relief of IBS symptoms Improved pain threshold Increase in analgesic receptors CAUTION: goal is not regulatory but mechanistic explanation avoid pharma approach best clinical evidence does not match most mechanistic explanation
Example of such a meta-analysis Data of 10351 patients Ritchie ML, Romanuk TN (2012) A Meta-Analysis of Probiotic Efficacy for Gastrointestinal Diseases. PLoS ONE 7(4): e34938. 9
Meta-analysis GIT health Independent of species, strain & formulation Also yeast & sporeforming bacteria Ritchie ML, Romanuk TN (2012) A Meta-Analysis of Probiotic Efficacy for Gastrointestinal Diseases. PLoS ONE 7(4): e34938. 10
Core vs strain-specific benefits Hill, C. et al. Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 11, 506 514 (2014). 11
My old conceptualised framework 1 2 3 Lebeer et al., 2008, MMBR 12
Active probiotic molecules? Probiotic selection Mode of action Clinical effects 13
Example of L. rhamnosus GG (LGG) Strong adhesion to gut wall due to pili ( zippers ) Segers & Lebeer (2014). Microb Cell Fact. 13(Suppl 1): S7. 14
Normalized OD 405 nm Example of L. rhamnosus GG (LGG) $ 4 3.5 * 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 * * * 0.5 0 Positive control Pam2CSK4 Negative control DMEM LGG wild type Pili deficient mutant spacba EPS mutant wele LTA mutant dltd unpublished 15
Example LGG & immune: not only pili LGG Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of LGG interacts with TLR2-6 to induce NF-κB signaling and increase IL-8 Claes et al., 2012 Microb Cell Fact LTA TLR2-6 NF-κB IL-8 Unmethylated CpG-rich DNA motifs of LGG interact with TLR9 on endosomes to stimulate T h 1 responses Iliev et al., 2005 Cell Microbiol. TLR9 Iliev et al., 2008 Scand J Immunol CpG DNA T h 1 responses PILI DC-SIGN of DCs IL-12, IL-10 IL-6 Fucose and mannose residues on the pili of LGG interact with DC- SIGN on dendritic cells to increase cytokine expression Tytgat et al., 2016 PLoS One
Structure-function relationships One probiotic molecule is not key for most probiotic effects Whether you look from microbial interaction physiological functions towards health benefits point of vue
Conceptualised signaling in the gut 1. Microbemicrobe interactions 2. Epithelial barrier MOA research reductionist Boost by microbiome? 3. Immune modulation Lebeer et al. (2010):Nat Rev Microbiol. 8(3):171-84. 18
Core characteristics probiotics? Mostly LABs: lactic acid = inhibitory towards many enteric pathogens & bacteriocin production No virulence & toxic properties >< pathogens SAFE Adhesion to gut wall is competitive advantage Many are Gram-positive Important signaling through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 linked to barrier function 19
Many effects via cell wall variable Substituents variable variable variable Lebeer et al. (2010): Host interactions of probiotic bacterial surface molecules: comparison with commensals and pathogens. Nat Rev Microbiol. 8(3):171-84. 20
(immune) modulators beyond cell wall MAMPs: TLR2 activation (LTA, PG, ), TLR9 (DNA) Secreted active enzymes (PG hydrolases, proteinases, glycosylhydrolases): potential modulators Major secreted proteins Msp2/p40 Msp1/p75 Intestinal Barrier lactic acid anti-oxidants, vitamins, & other metabolites
Delivery of high dose of biomass Enzymes Cell wall Metabolites DNA Administration in large amounts (min. 10^ CFU/day) 22
New framework ILSI expert group 1. Structure and content of microbial biomass 2. Microbiome/ pathogen defence 3. Epithelial barrier function 4. Immune system interaction 5. In situ bioactive production or conversion 6. Neurological system interaction 7. Endocrine function ( specific receptors)
Responders >< non-responders
explain To wrap up: conclusions so far Very complex to conceptualise framework for probiotic mechanisms of action Biggest challenges BACTERIA: core versus strain-specific effects HOST: responders vs non-responders Translational capacity of in vitro experiments? Molecular mechanism of cross-talk at mucosal level Cellular responses in the mucosa (local) Cellular/ physiology effect in host (mucosal and systemic) Clinical benefit (meta-analysis) predict
Perspectives What is sufficient evidence to substantiate or clarify a mode of action? Which data do we need for structure function relationships? Taking into account that simple biomarkers are not available How can research be improved? along the pipeline from selection of strains to clinical trials We would highly appreciate your input!
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