Probiotics increase antimicrobial activity of paneth cells in elder mice

RODRIGUEZ MONTEROS,M JOSÉ; CAZORLA, SILVIA I.; MALDONADO GALDEANO, CAROLINA; G. PERDIGÓN

Buenos Aires

Congreso; Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de BioCiencias; 2017

Paneth cells, specialized secretory epithelial cells of the small intestine, play a pivotal role in host defense and regulation of microbiota by producing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These innate immune effectors molecules serve as endogenous antibiotics against a broad range of microorganisms, including commensals and pathogens. Although AMPs display a diversity of primary and secondary structures, they share certain properties such as their overall positive charge, that facilitate their interaction with membranes and further translocation into cells. AMPs have also been shown to control the function of host cells and tissues by modulating the inflammatory response while boosting immunity by increasing the recruitment of leukocytes to the site of infection. Probiotics defined by the FAO/WHO as live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host; have gained more and more interest as alternatives for antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Probiotics can modulate the immune system by increasing the mucosal and systemic immune responses, reinforcing the epithelial barrier by reducing its permeability, and enhancing the local immune response, mainly through innate immunity. Our aim, was to explore whether AMP production by Paneth cells is influenced by probiotics oral administration throughout the lives of the animals, in order to kill pathogens and strengthen the intestinal barrier integrity.