title: Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 on the ability of Candida albicans to infect cells and induce inflammation.
abstract: Vulvovaginal candidiasis, a high prevailing infection worldwide, is mainly caused by Candida albicans. Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 have been previously shown to be useful as adjuvants in the treatment of women with VVC. In order to demonstrate and better understand the anti-Candida activity of the probiotic microorganisms in an in vitro model simulating vaginal candidiasis, a human vaginal epithelial cell line (VK2/E6E7) was infected with C.albicans 3153a and then challenged with probiotic L. rhamnosus GR-1 and/or L. reuteri RC-14 or their respective CFS (alone or in combination). At each time point (0, 6, 12 and 24 hr), numbers of yeast, lactobacilli and viable VK2/E6E7 cells were determined and, at 0, 6 and 12 hr, the supernatants were measured for cytokine levels. We found that C. albicans induced a significant increase in IL-1alpha and IL-8 production by VK2/E6E7 cells. After lactobacilli challenge, epithelial cells did not alter IL-6, IL-1alpha, RANTES and VEGF levels. However, CFS from the probiotic microorganisms up-regulated IL-8 and IP-10 levels secreted by VK2/E6E7 cells infected with C. albicans. At 24 hr of co-incubation, L. reuteri RC-14 alone and in combination with L. rhamnosus GR-1 decreased the yeast population recoverable from the cells. In conclusion, L. reuteri RC-14 alone and together with L. rhamnosus GR-1 have the potential to inhibit the yeast growth and their CFS may up-regulate IL-8 and IP-10 secretion by VK2/E6E7 cells, which could possibly have played an important role in helping to clear VVC in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Avenida do Café s/n, Campus of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael C R
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Shannon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Seney
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Summers
authors.forename: Auro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nomizo
authors.forename: Elaine C P
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: De Martinis
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D052200:Limosilactobacillus reuteri / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines