The Effect of Lactoferrin and Pepsin-Treated Lactoferrin on IEC-6 Cell Damage Induced by Clostridium Difficile Toxin B

Shock. 2018 Jul;50(1):119-125. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000000990.

Abstract

Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) have recently increased worldwide. Some CDI progress to fulminant and recurrent CDI and are associated with high mortality and morbidity. CD produces toxins A and B, which cause intestinal mucosal damage, although toxin B exhibits greater cytotoxicity. Pepsin-treated lactoferrin (PLF) is the decomposed product of lactoferrin (LF), a multifunctional glycoprotein with anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we investigate the effects of LF and PLF in toxin B-stimulated rat intestinal epithelial (IEC-6) cells. Different toxin B concentrations were added to IEC-6 cells with or without LF or PLF. Mitochondrial function and cell cytotoxicity were assessed by measuring WST-1 and LDH levels, respectively. WST-1 levels were higher in IEC-6 cells treated with toxin B and LF or PLF than in the toxin B-only control (P < 0.05). Compared with the toxin B-only control, LDH levels significantly decreased after toxin B and LF or PLF addition (P < 0.05). Wound restitution measurement using microscopy demonstrated significantly greater levels of wound restitution in cells treated with toxin B and LF or PLF than in those treated with toxin B alone after 12 h (P < 0.001). Furthermore, changes in IEC-6 cell tight junctions (TJs) were evaluated by immunofluorescence microscopy and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) protein expression. When LF or PLF were added to IEC-6 cells, TJ structures were maintained, and ZO-1 and occludin expression was upregulated. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LF and PLF prevent the cytotoxicity of toxin B and might have the potential to control CDI.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / toxicity*
  • Bacterial Toxins / toxicity*
  • Cell Line
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects
  • Lactoferrin / metabolism*
  • Lactoferrin / pharmacology*
  • Pepsin A / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Tight Junctions / drug effects
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
  • toxB protein, Clostridium difficile
  • Lactoferrin
  • Pepsin A