Bifidobacterium breve MRx0004 protects against airway inflammation in a severe asthma model by suppressing both neutrophil and eosinophil lung infiltration

Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 13;8(1):12024. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30448-z.

Abstract

Asthma is a phenotypically heterogeneous disease. In severe asthma, airway inflammation can be predominantly eosinophilic, neutrophilic, or mixed. Only a limited number of drug candidates are in development to address this unmet clinical need. Live biotherapeutics derived from the gut microbiota are a promising new therapeutic area. MRx0004 is a commensal Bifidobacterium breve strain isolated from the microbiota of a healthy human. The strain was tested prophylactically and therapeutically by oral gavage in a house dust mite mouse model of severe asthma. A strong reduction of neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration was observed in lung bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following MRx0004 treatment. Peribronchiolar and perivascular immunopathology was also reduced. MRx0004 increased lung CD4+CD44+ cells and CD4+FoxP3+ cells and decreased activated CD11b+ dendritic cells. Cytokine analysis of lung tissue revealed reductions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines involved in neutrophil migration. In comparison, anti-IL-17 antibody treatment effectively reduced neutrophilic infiltration and increased CD4+FoxP3+ cells, but it induced lung eosinophilia and did not decrease histopathology scores. We have demonstrated that MRx0004, a microbiota-derived bacterial strain, can reduce both neutrophilic and eosinophilic infiltration in a mouse model of severe asthma. This novel therapeutic is a promising next-generation drug for management of severe asthma.

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / administration & dosage
  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / pathology
  • Asthma / therapy*
  • Bifidobacterium breve / immunology*
  • Biological Therapy / methods*
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Eosinophils / immunology
  • Eosinophils / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / therapy*
  • Lung / chemistry
  • Lung / cytology
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neutrophils / immunology
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Pyroglyphidae / immunology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Cytokines