Lipoteichoic acid from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG as an oral photoprotective agent against ultraviolet-induced carcinogenesis

FEDERICO S. WEILL; ELIANA M. CELA; MARIELA L. PAZ; ALEJANDRO FERRARI; JULIANA LEONI; DANIEL H. GONZALEZ MAGLIO

BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2013 vol. 109 p. 457 - 466

0007-1145

Probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host". Cell surface molecules and extracellular components of these microorganisms are being studied in relation to their ability to interact with the host. The cell wall of lactobacilli comprises mainly peptidoglican and lipoteichoic acids (LTA) which are macroamphiphilic molecules with immunomodulatory properties, consisting of a glycerol-phosphate or ribitolphosphate chain. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been proposed as the main cause of skin cancer because of its mutagenic and immunosuppressive effects. Recently, the prevention of the harmful effects of UVR has been demonstrated for some nutrients. Within these, probiotics have emerged in the last few years as interesting candidates. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the oral administration of purified LTA from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG can modulate the immune suppressive effect of UVR and skin tumor development in mice. We found that T cells in the inguinal lymph node of LTA treated animals produced significantly higher levels of IFN-a, and that the number of total, helper and cytotoxic T cells was increased. A significant delay in tumor appearance was found in mouse treated with LTA, as well. The finding of increased IgA+ cell number in small intestine and higher number of activated dendritic cells in mesenteric lymph nodes may indicate a direct effect of LTA in the gut, which could be affecting cutaneous immune system and restoring homeostasis through the gut-skin axis.