Restoring specific lactobacilli levels decreases inflammation and muscle atrophy markers in an acute leukemia mouse model

PLoS One. 2012;7(6):e37971. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037971. Epub 2012 Jun 27.

Abstract

The gut microbiota has recently been proposed as a novel component in the regulation of host homeostasis and immunity. We have assessed for the first time the role of the gut microbiota in a mouse model of leukemia (transplantation of BaF3 cells containing ectopic expression of Bcr-Abl), characterized at the final stage by a loss of fat mass, muscle atrophy, anorexia and inflammation. The gut microbial 16S rDNA analysis, using PCR-Denaturating Gradient Gel Electrophoresis and quantitative PCR, reveals a dysbiosis and a selective modulation of Lactobacillus spp. (decrease of L. reuteri and L. johnsonii/gasseri in favor of L. murinus/animalis) in the BaF3 mice compared to the controls. The restoration of Lactobacillus species by oral supplementation with L. reuteri 100-23 and L. gasseri 311476 reduced the expression of atrophy markers (Atrogin-1, MuRF1, LC3, Cathepsin L) in the gastrocnemius and in the tibialis, a phenomenon correlated with a decrease of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-4, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, quantified by multiplex immuno-assay). These positive effects are strain- and/or species-specific since L. acidophilus NCFM supplementation does not impact on muscle atrophy markers and systemic inflammation. Altogether, these results suggest that the gut microbiota could constitute a novel therapeutic target in the management of leukemia-associated inflammation and related disorders in the muscle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / genetics
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Lactobacillus / physiology*
  • Leukemia, Experimental / complications*
  • Leukemia, Experimental / genetics
  • Leukemia, Experimental / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / microbiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Metagenome
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Muscular Atrophy / etiology
  • Muscular Atrophy / prevention & control*
  • Precursor Cells, B-Lymphoid / transplantation
  • Splenic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Splenic Neoplasms / microbiology
  • Splenic Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl