Oral administration of Pantoea agglomerans-derived lipopolysaccharide prevents development of atherosclerosis in high-fat diet-fed apoE-deficient mice via ameliorating hyperlipidemia, pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative responses

Microbial profile in bile from pancreatic and extra-pancreatic biliary tract cancer

BACKGROUND

Dysbiotic biliary bacterial profile is reported in cancer patients and is associated with survival and comorbidities, raising the question of its effect on the influence of anticancer drugs and, recently, the suggestion of perichemotherapy antibiotics in pancreatic cancer patients colonized by the Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the microbial communities that colonize tumours and which bacteria could aid in diagnosing pancreatic and biliary cancer and managing bile-colonized patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study on positive bile cultures of 145 Italian patients who underwent cholangiopancreatography with PC and EPC cancer hospitalized from January 2006 to December 2020 in a QA-certified academic surgical unit were investigated for aerobic/facultative-anaerobic bacteria and fungal organisms.

RESULTS

We found that among Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp were the most frequent in the EPC group, while Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, and Pseudomonas spp were the most frequent in the PC group. Enterococcus spp was the most frequent Gram-positive bacteria in both groups. Comparing the EPC and PC, we found a significant presence of patients with greater age in the PC compared to the EPC group. Regarding Candida spp, we found no significant but greater rate in the PC group compared to the EPC group (11.7% vs 1.96%). We found that Alcaligenes faecalis was the most frequent bacteria in EPC than the PC group, among Gram-negative bacterial species.

CONCLUSIONS

Age differences in gut microbiota composition may affect biliary habitats in our cancer population, especially in patients with pancreatic cancer. Alcaligenes faecalis isolated in the culture of bile samples could represent potential microbial markers for a restricted follow-up to early diagnosis of extra-pancreatic cancer. Finally, the prevalence of Candida spp in pancreatic cancer seems to trigger new aspects about debate about the role of fungal microbiota into their relationship with pancreatic cancer.

Utility of In Vitro Cellular Models of Low-Dose Lipopolysaccharide in Elucidating the Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammatory and Wound-Healing-Promoting Effects of Lipopolysaccharide Administration In Vivo

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial component that activates intracellular signaling pathways upon binding to the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4/MD-2 complex. It is well known that LPS injected into animals and high-dose (100 ng/mL to 1 μg/mL) LPS treatment to innate immune cells induce an inflammatory response. In contrast, LPS is naturally present in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and skin of humans and animals, and it has been shown that TLR-4-deficient animals cannot maintain their immune balance and gut homeostasis. LPS from commensal bacteria can help maintain homeostasis against mucosal stimulation in healthy individuals. Oral LPS administration has been shown to be effective in preventing allergic and lifestyle-related diseases. However, this effect was not observed after treatment with LPS at high doses. In mice, oral LPS administration resulted in the detection of LPS at a low concentration in the peritoneal fluid. Therefore, LPS administered at low and high doses have different effects. Moreover, the results of in vitro experiments using low-dose LPS may reflect the effects of oral LPS administration. This review summarizes the utility of in vitro models using cells stimulated with LPS at low concentrations (50 pg/mL to 50 ng/mL) in elucidating the mechanisms of oral LPS administration. Low-dose LPS administration has been demonstrated to suppress the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and promote wound healing, suggesting that LPS is a potential agent that can be used for the treatment and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.

Functional immune boosters; the herb or its dead microbiome? Antigenic TLR4 agonist MAMPs found in 65 medicinal roots and algae's

Background

Humans have been consuming medicinal plants (as herbs/ spices) to combat illness for centuries while ascribing beneficial effects predominantly to the plant/phytochemical constituents, without recognizing the power of obligatory resident microorganism' communities (MOCs) (live/dead bacteria, fungus, yeast, molds etc.) which remain after industrial microbial reduction methods. Very little is known about the taxonomic identity of residual antigenic microbial associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) debris in our botanical over the counter (OTC) products, which if present would be recognized as foreign (non-self) antigenic matter by host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) provoking a host immune response; this the basis of vaccine adjuvants. As of today, only few research groups have removed the herbal MAMP biomass from herbs, all suggesting that immune activation may not be from the plant but rather its microbial biomass; a hypothesis we corroborate.

Purpose

The purpose of this work was to conduct a high through put screening (HTPS) of over 2500 natural plants, OTC botanical supplements and phytochemicals to elucidate those with pro-inflammatory; toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) activating properties in macrophages.

Study Design

The HTPS was conducted on RAW 264.7 cells vs. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) E. coli 0111:B4, testing iNOS / nitric oxide production ( NO 2 - ) as a perimeter endpoint. The data show not a single drug/chemical/ phytochemical and approximately 98 % of botanicals to be immune idle (not effective) with only 65 pro-inflammatory (hits) in a potency range of LPS. Method validation studies eliminated the possibility of false artifact or contamination, and results were cross verified through multiple vendors/ manufacturers/lot numbers by botanical species. Lead botanicals were evaluated for plant concentration of LPS, 1,3:1,6-β-glucan, 1,3:1,4-β-D-glucan and α-glucans; where the former paralleled strength in vitro. LPS was then removed from plants using high-capacity endotoxin poly lysine columns, where bioactivity of LPS null "plant" extracts were lost. The stability of E.Coli 0111:B4 in an acid stomach mimetic model was confirmed. Last, we conducted a reverse culture on aerobic plate counts (APCs) from select hits, with subsequent isolation of gram-negative bacteria (MacConkey agar). Cultures were 1) heat destroyed (retested/ confirming bioactivity) and 2) subject to taxonomical identification by genetic sequencing 18S, ITS1, 5.8 s, ITS2 28S, and 16S.

Conclusion

The data show significant gram negative MAMP biomass dominance in A) roots (e.g. echinacea, yucca, burdock, stinging nettle, sarsaparilla, hydrangea, poke, madder, calamus, rhaponticum, pleurisy, aconite etc.) and B) oceanic plants / algae's (e.g. bladderwrack, chlorella, spirulina, kelp, and "OTC Seamoss-blends" (irish moss, bladderwrack, burdock root etc), as well as other random herbs (eg. corn silk, cleavers, watercress, cardamom seed, tribulus, duckweed, puffball, hordeum and pollen). The results show a dominance of gram negative microbes (e.g. Klebsilla aerogenes, Pantoae agglomerans, Cronobacter sakazakii), fungus (Glomeracaea, Ascomycota, Irpex lacteus, Aureobasidium pullulans, Fibroporia albicans, Chlorociboria clavula, Aspergillus_sp JUC-2), with black walnut hull, echinacea and burdock root also containing gram positive microbial strains (Fontibacillus, Paenibacillus, Enterococcus gallinarum, Bromate-reducing bacterium B6 and various strains of Clostridium).

Conclusion

This work brings attention to the existence of a functional immune bioactive herbal microbiome, independent from the plant. There is need to further this avenue of research, which should be carried out with consideration as to both positive or negative consequences arising from daily consumption of botanicals highly laden with bioactive MAMPS.

Comparison of the oxidative profiles before and after revascularization in peripheral arterial disease: a pilot study

Reactive and highly reactive oxygen species (ROS and hROS) produced by white blood cells are essential for innate immunity; however, they may cause oxidative stress in the host. We developed systems for simultaneously monitoring ROS and hROS, i.e., superoxide radicals (O2•-) and hypochlorite ions (OCl-) secreted from stimulated white blood cells in a few microliters of whole blood. We previously reported on the evaluation of healthy volunteers' blood using the developed system; however, whether patients' blood can be assessed remains unclear. Here, we report a pilot study of 30 cases (28 patients) with peripheral arterial disease, in whom we measured the ROS and hROS levels before and approximately one month after endovascular treatment (EVT) using the system (CFL-H2200) that we developed. At approximately the same time points, physiological indices of blood vessels, oxidative stress markers, and standard clinical parameters in the blood were also monitored. The ankle-brachial index, a diagnostic tool for peripheral arterial disease, was significantly improved after EVT (p<0.001). The ROS-hROS ratio, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hematocrit levels were decreased after EVT (p<0.05), while triglyceride and lymphocyte levels were increased after EVT (p<0.05). The correlations between the study parameters were also analyzed.

Oral route lipopolysaccharide as a potential dementia preventive agent inducing neuroprotective microglia

In today’s aging society, dementia is an urgent problem to be solved because no treatment or preventive methods have been established. This review focuses on oral administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an outer membrane component of Gram-negative bacteria, as a novel preventive drug for dementia. LPS is also called endotoxin and is well known to induce inflammation when administered systemically. On the other hand, although we humans routinely ingest LPS derived from symbiotic bacteria of edible plants, the effect of oral administration of LPS has hardly been studied. Recently, oral administration of LPS was reported to prevent dementia by inducing neuroprotective microglia. Furthermore, it has been suggested that colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) is involved in the dementia prevention mechanism by oral administration of LPS. Thus, in this review, we summarized the previous studies of oral administration of LPS and discussed the predicted dementia prevention mechanism. In addition, we showed the potential of oral LPS administration as a preventive drug for dementia by highlighting research gaps and future issues for clinical application development.

Oral Administration of Lipopolysaccharide Enhances Insulin Signaling-Related Factors in the KK/Ay Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin, induces systemic inflammation by injection and is thought to be a causative agent of chronic inflammatory diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, our previous studies found that oral LPS administration does not exacerbate T2DM conditions in KK/Ay mice, which is the opposite of the response from LPS injection. Therefore, this study aims to confirm that oral LPS administration does not aggravate T2DM and to investigate the possible mechanisms. In this study, KK/Ay mice with T2DM were orally administered LPS (1 mg/kg BW/day) for 8 weeks, and blood glucose parameters before and after oral administration were compared. Abnormal glucose tolerance, insulin resistance progression, and progression of T2DM symptoms were suppressed by oral LPS administration. Furthermore, the expressions of factors involved in insulin signaling, such as insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1, thymoma viral proto-oncogene, and glucose transporter type 4, were upregulated in the adipose tissues of KK/Ay mice, where this effect was observed. For the first time, oral LPS administration induces the expression of adiponectin in adipose tissues, which is involved in the increased expression of these molecules. Briefly, oral LPS administration may prevent T2DM by inducing an increase in the expressions of insulin signaling-related factors based on adiponectin production in adipose tissues.

Lipopolysaccharide and the gut microbiota: Considering structural variation

Systemic inflammation is associated with chronic disease and is purported to be a main pathogenic mechanism underlying metabolic conditions. Microbes harbored in the host gastrointestinal tract release signaling byproducts from their cell wall, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which can act locally and, after crossing the gut barrier and entering circulation, also systemically. Defined as metabolic endotoxemia, elevated concentrations of LPS in circulation are associated with metabolic conditions and chronic disease. As such, measurement of LPS is highly prevalent in animal and human research investigating these states. Indeed, LPS can be a potent stimulant of host immunity but this response depends on the microbial species' origin, a parameter often overlooked in both preclinical and clinical investigations. Indeed, the lipid A portion of LPS is mutable and comprises the main virulence and endotoxic component, thus contributing to the structural and functional diversity among LPSs from microbial species. In this review, we discuss how such structural differences in LPS can induce differential immunological responses in the host.

Prevention of Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Dysfunction Through Oral Administration of Lipopolysaccharide Derived From Pantoea agglomerans

Diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction (DRCD) is a serious complication induced by diabetes. However, there are currently no specific remedies for DRCD. Here, we show that streptozotocin-induced DRCD can be prevented without causing side effects through oral administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Pantoea agglomerans. Oral administration of LPS (OAL) prevented the cerebral cortex atrophy and tau phosphorylation induced by DRCD. Moreover, we observed that neuroprotective transformation of microglia (brain tissue-resident macrophages) is important for preventing DRCD through OAL. These findings are contrary to the general recognition of LPS as an inflammatory agent when injected systemically. Furthermore, our results strongly suggest that OAL promotes membrane-bound colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) expression on peripheral leukocytes, which activates the CSF1 receptor on microglia, leading to their transformation to the neuroprotective phenotype. Taken together, the present study indicates that controlling innate immune modulation through the simple and safe strategy of OAL can be an innovative prophylaxis for intractable neurological diseases such as DRCD. In a sense, for modern people living in an LPS-depleted environment, OAL is like a time machine that returns microglia to the good old LPS-abundant era.

Cannabis Seed Oil Alleviates Experimental Atherosclerosis by Ameliorating Vascular Inflammation in Apolipoprotein-E-Deficient Mice

In recent decades, epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies have demonstrated that a diet with antioxidant or anti-inflammatory function plays a central role in the prevention of atherosclerosis (AS). The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of Cannabis seed oil (CO) administration on in vitro antioxidant capacity as well as blood lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory response, and endothelial cell integrity. Female ApoE^-/- mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet and administrated with CO or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and seal oil by gavage for 8 weeks. The results show that CO administration reduced the levels of serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at week 6. Additionally, a decrease in serum tumor necrosis factor α and nitric oxide was also observed. Moreover, results from CD31 staining and scanning electron microscopy revealed that CO treatment alleviated the endothelial cell damage and lipid deposition induced by a high-cholesterol diet. The ratio of lesion area to the total aorta area was 19.57% for the CO group, which was lower than the PBS control group (24.67%). Collectively, CO exerted anti-atherosclerotic effects by modulating serum lipid profiles and inflammatory responses and improving endothelial cell integrity and arterial lipid deposition. The results provide a promising preventive strategy for the early progression of AS.

Correlation between human health and reactive oxygen species produced in blood: a long-term chemiluminescence and fluorescence analysis

The previous slide-glass type system could simultaneously detect reactive and highly reactive oxygen species, i.e., superoxide radicals (O₂^−·) and hypochlorite ions (OCl⁻) elicited from leucocytes in sample blood, but had some drawbacks, i.e., signal noise from air-flow stirring, potential biohazard risks, etc. because of open samples placed on a slide glass. We overcame these drawbacks by adopting a fluidic-chip container in a new system, which resulted in higher sensitivity and more stable measurements. Using the new system, we conducted a pilot study on nominally healthy volunteers to find whether or not the monitored activities of leukocytes can distinguish more or less unhealthy conditions from healthy ones. At first, healthy volunteers of both genders and of various ages showed that the fluctuation magnitudes (%) of O₂^−· and OCl⁻ were nearly similar to each other and to that of the neutrophil count fluctuation. These parameters sometimes exceeded the healthy fluctuation range. By comparing these large fluctuations with the data of an inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP), the neutrophil count fluctuation and the timings/symptoms of abnormalities found in questionnaire, we could gain information suggesting the factors causing the large fluctuations. The new system could detect bodily abnormalities earlier than CRP or self-aware symptoms.

Molecular Analysis of Bacterial Isolates From Necrotic Wheat Leaf Lesions Caused by Xanthomonas translucens, and Description of Three Putative Novel Species, Sphingomonas albertensis sp. nov., Pseudomonas triticumensis sp. nov. and Pseudomonas foliumensis sp. nov

Xanthomonas translucens is the etiological agent of the wheat bacterial leaf streak (BLS) disease. The isolation of this pathogen is usually based on the Wilbrink's-boric acid-cephalexin semi-selective medium which eliminates 90% of other bacteria, some of which might be novel species. In our study, a general purpose nutrient agar was used to isolate 49 bacterial strains including X. translucens from necrotic wheat leaf tissues. Maximum likelihood cluster analysis of 16S rRNA sequences grouped the strains into 10 distinct genera. Pseudomonas (32.7%) and Pantoea (28.6%) were the dominant genera while Xanthomonas, Clavibacter and Curtobacterium had 8.2%, each. Erwinia and Sphingomonas had two strains, each. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses of multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of specific housekeeping genes taxonomically assigned all the strains to validly described bacterial species, except three strains (10L4B, 12L4D and 32L3A) of Pseudomonas and two (23L3C and 15L3B) of Sphingomonas. Strains 10L4B and12L4D had Pseudomonas caspiana as their closest known type strain while strain 32L3A was closest to Pseudomonas asturiensis. Sphingomonas sp. strains 23L3C and 15L3B were closest to S. faeni based on MLSA analysis. Our data on MLSA, whole genome-based cluster analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight, chemotaxonomy and phenotype affirmed that these 5 strains constitute three novel lineages and are taxonomically described in this study. We propose the names, Sphingomonas albertensis sp. nov. (type strain 23L3C^T = DOAB 1063^T = CECT 30248^T = LMG 32139^T), Pseudomonas triticumensis sp. nov. (type strain 32L3A^T = DOAB 1067^T = CECT 30249^T = LMG 32140^T) and Pseudomonas foliumensis sp. nov. (type strain 10L4B^T = DOAB 1069^T = CECT 30250^T = LMG 32142^T). Comparative genomics of these novel species, relative to their closest type strains, revealed unique repertoires of core secretion systems and secondary metabolites/antibiotics. Also, the detection of CRISPR-Cas systems in the genomes of these novel species suggests an acquired mechanism for resistance against foreign mobile genetic elements. The results presented here revealed a cohabitation, within the BLS lesions, of diverse bacterial species, including novel lineages.

Comprehensive genomic analysis reveals virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes in Pantoea agglomerans KM1, a potential opportunistic pathogen

Pantoea agglomerans is a Gram-negative facultative anaerobic bacillus causing a wide range of opportunistic infections in humans including septicemia, pneumonia, septic arthritis, wound infections and meningitis. To date, the determinants of virulence, antibiotic resistance, metabolic features conferring survival and host-associated pathogenic potential of this bacterium remain largely underexplored. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the whole-genome of P. agglomerans KM1 isolated from kimchi in South Korea. The genome contained one circular chromosome of 4,039,945 bp, 3 mega plasmids, and 2 prophages. The phage-derived genes encoded integrase, lysozyme and terminase. Six CRISPR loci were identified within the bacterial chromosome. Further in-depth analysis showed that the genome contained 13 antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance to clinically important antibiotics such as penicillin G, bacitracin, rifampicin, vancomycin, and fosfomycin. Genes involved in adaptations to environmental stress were also identified which included factors providing resistance to osmotic lysis, oxidative stress, as well as heat and cold shock. The genomic analysis of virulence factors led to identification of a type VI secretion system, hemolysin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and genes involved in iron uptake and sequestration. Finally, the data provided here show that, the KM1 isolate exerted strong immunostimulatory properties on RAW 264.7 macrophages in vitro. Stimulated cells produced Nitric Oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. The upstream signaling for production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and NO depended on TLR4 and TLR1/2. While production of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO involved solely activation of the NF-κB, IL-10 secretion was largely dependent on NF-κB and to a lesser extent on MAPK Kinases. Taken together, the analysis of the whole-genome and immunostimulatory properties provided in-depth characterization of the P. agglomerans KM1 isolate shedding a new light on determinants of virulence that drive its interactions with the environment, other microorganisms and eukaryotic hosts

Effect of Continuous Dewaxed Brown Rice Ingestion on the Cognitive Function of Elderly Individuals

Dewaxed brown rice (DBR), which is prepared by removing only the outermost wax layer of brown rice using a new rice milling technique, has improved water absorbency, digestibility, and taste compared to regular brown rice. DBR has a nutritional value close to that of brown rice, including a rich amount of lipopolysaccharides that are known to improve cognitive function in mice. This study thus aimed to verify the influence of continuous DBR ingestion on cognitive function among elderly individuals. The present study employed a crossover comparison design using the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale to assess cognitive function. Our findings confirmed that long-term DBR ingestion contributed to the prevention and reduction of overall cognitive decline, especially among elderly individuals with low cognitive function. Thus, DBR has the potential to be a useful staple food that maintains brain homeostasis among elderly individuals.

Oral administration of Pantoea agglomerans-derived lipopolysaccharide prevents metabolic dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease-related memory loss in senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice fed a high-fat diet

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unclear, but an imbalance between the production and clearance of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides is known to play a critical role in AD progression. A promising preventative approach is to enhance the normal Aβ clearance activity of brain phagocytes such as microglia. In mice, the intraperitoneal injection of Toll-like receptor 4 agonist was shown to enhance Aβ clearance and exhibit a preventative effect on AD-related pathology. Our previous clinical study demonstrated that orally administered Pantoea agglomerans-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPSp) exhibited an LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-lowering effect in human volunteers with hyperlipidemia, a known risk factor for AD. In vitro studies have shown that LPSp treatment increases Aβ phagocytosis by microglial cells; however it is still unclear whether orally administered LPSp exhibits a preventive effect on AD progression. We show here that in senescence-accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice fed a high-fat diet, oral administration of LPSp at 0.3 or 1 mg/kg body weight·day for 18 weeks significantly improved glucose metabolism and lipid profiles. The LPSp treatment also reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and oxidative-burst activity in the peripheral blood. Moreover, LPSp significantly reduced brain Aβ burden and memory impairment as seen in the water maze test, although we could not confirm a significant enhancement of Aβ phagocytosis in microglia isolated from the brains after treatment. Taken together, our results show that LPSp holds promise as a preventative therapy for AD or AD-related diseases induced by impairment of metabolic functions.