Background: The intestinal epithelium is considered the first defense protection against exogenous harmful substances, playing an indispensable role in regulating intestinal health. The protection offered by surface-layer proteins (Slps) from different Lactobacillus strains on an impaired intestinal barrier was investigated in this study.
Results: Four Slps pre-incubated for 6 h significantly prevented the reduced transepithelial electrical resistance value and increased paracellular permeability in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced Caco-2 monolayers. TNF-α induced lower protein expression of occludin and zonula occludens-1, and abnormal distributions of occludin and zonula occludens-1 were ameliorated by four Slps as well. Additionally, four Slps weakened TNF-α-evoked interleukin-8 secretion and nuclear factor-κB activation.
Conclusion: Four Slps from different strains prevent the intestinal barrier from TNF-α-induced dysfunction through blocking the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Keywords: Caco-2 cell monolayers; intestinal barrier dysfunction; surface-layer proteins; tight junction.
© 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.