Journal of Probiotics & Health
Open Access

Mucus-targeted potential of Streptococcus thermophilus in the gut towards new probiotic effects

6^th International Conference and Exhibition on Probiotics, Functional and Baby Foods

October 02-03, 2017 London, UK

Muriel Thomas, Neike Fernandez, Laura Wrzosek, Joanna Radziwill-Bienkowska, Belinda Ringot-Destrez, Marie-Pierre Duviau, Marie-Louise Noordine, Valerie Laroute, Veronique Robert, Marie-Line Daveran-Mingot, Muriel Cocaign-Bousquet, Renaud Leonard, Catherine Robbe-Masselot, Veronique Monnet, Francoi

INRA, Micalis Institute, France
Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Poland
University of Lille, France
LIBSP, France
Center for Research and Interdisciplinary, France
Toxalim, INRA, France

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Prob Health

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: To establish safer and more sustainable food, we need to support the probiotic allegations of the lactic acid bacteria in performing functional and mechanistic studies. Here, we explored the mucus-targeted potential of Streptococcus thermophilus (one of the two yogurt bacteria), i.e. its capacity to adhere, degrade, and/or modulate the intestinal mucus. Methodology & Results: In vitro, on pig gastric mucin or on HT29-MTX intestinal epithelial cells, S. thermophilus poorly adhered and did not metabolize mucus sugars. In vivo, we evidenced a muco-modulatory effect of S. thermophilus in the colon of monoxenic rats, solely housing S. thermophilus. Indeed, the number of mucus-producing cells as well as the expression of Muc2 (the main secreted intestinal mucin) and Klf4 (protein involved in the differentiation of mucus-producing cells) were increased. In wild-type mice, housing a complex microbiota, the number of goblet cells remained unchanged after administration of S. thermophilus whereas a modification of mucin O-glycosylation was observed with a loss of neutral structures to the benefit of sulfated ones. Changes in Klf4 expression and O-glycan profile were observed in the ileum. In addition, the caecal lactate concentration was increased and that of some short-chain fatty acids (e.g. propionate) was modified in comparison with control animals. Conclusion & Significance: Thus, S. thermophilus exhibits in vivo a mucus-targeted potential that is expressed in different rodent models and in different ways. The present work will be valuable to elaborate novel functional food based on these original probiotic properties.

Biography :

Muriel Thomas is a Senior Scientist at INRA (DR2), and her projects focus on the health benefits sustained by diet and microbes. She leads the group microbiota and epithelia which has contributed to a better understanding of the dynamic dialogue installed between the intestinal epithelium and microbiota. Her expertise is based on the use of germ-free and gnotobiotic rodents combined with cellular tools and the isolation of new beneficial microbes. Recently, she has developed a new area of expertise around the microbes found in lungs and regulating the susceptibility to respiratory diseases like asthma. The group combines approaches at the frontier between physiology, microbiology and nutrition. In addition, her engagement in public health agency (ANSES) and nutrition-specialized societies (SFNEP) is an asset to adapt her projects with the public health priorities, regulatory framework and food safety policy.