Anti-allergic function of the cell wall (DeinoWall) from Deinococcus radiodurans

Abstract

Deinococcus radiodurans is an extremophile, well known to be extremely resistant to external stresses due to its unique physiological system and structure of cellular components. Although the proportion of D. radiodurans has been reported to be negatively correlated with atopic dermatitis, the exact function of D. radiodurans in allergic diseases and its precise mechanisms have not been studied. In the present study, we hypothesize that D. radiodurans or its cellular constituents play a critical role in the skin to prevent allergic inflammatory responses by modulating immunity. Heat-killed D. radiodurans inhibited the production of Th2 cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-5, induced by ovalbumin (OVA) stimulation in splenocytes from OVA-sensitized mice. Among the cellular constituents of D. radiodurans, such as cell wall (DeinoWall), cell membrane (DeinoMem), and exopolysaccharide (DeinoPol), only DeinoWall inhibited the production of Th2 cytokines and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD), a Th2-predominant allergic disease in mice. Moreover, serum IgE levels and infiltration of mast cells into skin lesions, the markers of Th2 response induced by DNCB application, were significantly inhibited by treatment with DeinoWall. Remarkably, DeinoWall induced the maturation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) that promote Th1-biased immunity, which might balance Th1/Th2 and regulate allergic inflammatory responses. Collectively, these results suggest that DeinoWall acts as a major cellular constituent in the negative regulation of allergic inflammatory responses by D. radiodurans and might be a viable candidate for the treatment of allergic diseases.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Cell wall; Deinococcus radiodurans; Th2 responses.