The usage of probiotics as immunomodulatory agents for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis

Objectives: Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms which may modulate host immune response, a relevant property in the control of exacerbated inflammation in periodontitis. Macrophages can acquire distinct functional phenotypes, as classically activated pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2, according to the microenvironment. We aimed to test the hypothesis that a lactobacilli probiotic could manipulate macrophage’s phenotype.
Methods: THP-1 macrophages were challenged with L. acidophilus LA5 and P. gingivalis ATCC 33277, and/or E. coli LPS. Positive and negative controls consisted of LPS and/or P. gingivalis infected/non infected macrophages. Gene expression of M1 and M2 markers was evaluated by RT-qPCR.
Results: LPS and/ or P. gingivalis promoted distinct transcription profiles of increased levels of pro-inflammatory M1 markers (p<0.05, ANOVA, Dunnet test). LA5 induced expression of M1 markers COX2 and TNF-α. However, LA5 downregulated TNF-α and INOS expression in LPS challenged THP-1. LA5 also downregulated M1 markers expression in THP-1 challenged with LPS and P. gingivalis (p<0.05, ANOVA, Sidak's multiple comparisons test).
Conclusions: L. acidophilus LA5 can manipulate macrophages phenotypes driven by LPS or living periodontopathogen, suggesting its potential use in the control of inflammation in periodontitis.
Funding: FAPESP 2015/18273-9 and 2016/13156-7