Bacteria of Human Physiological Microflora Liberate Immunomodulating Peptides

doi:10.1016/S0934-8840(11)80048-4

Zentralblatt für Bakteriologie

Volume 272, Issue 4, April 1990, Pages 467-476

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0934-8840(11)80048-4 Get rights and content

Summary

Human isolates of Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus saprophyticus could be shown to liberate low molecular weight peptides (MW < 6.500 D) with immunomodulating activity. FACS analyses of BALB/c-mouse lymphoid cells from the thymus and spleen revealed an enhanced percentage of T-helper cells after peptide administration. Intestinal microflora decontamination of BALB/c-mice considerably reduced immune cell function and lymphatic tissue proliferation. Apparently, lack of peptide production or liberation correlated to immunosuppression. Substitution of peptides (from P. acnes or S. saprophyticus) to decontaminated mice reconstituted immune cell function and proliferation. Cortisone-resistant thymocytes were used as an experimental equivalent of functional cells in the thymus. Thus, cortisone treatment of BALB/c-mice significantly reduced the number of thymocytes, however, administration of microbial peptides restored the thymus population.

Zusammenfassung

Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus saprophyticus Isolate der physiologischen menschlichen Mikroflora sezernieren niedermolekulare Peptide (Molekulargewicht < 6500 D) mit immunmodulatorischer Aktivität. FACS-Analysen der lymphatischen Zellen aus BALB/c-Maus Thymus and Milz offenbarten einen Anstieg der T-Helfer-Lymphozyten nach Peptid-Injektion. Dekontamination des Magen-Darm-Traktes resultiert offenbar in einer Reduktion bzw. Einstellung der Peptidf reisetzung, die im BALB/c-Maus-Modell eine Immunsuppression bewirkt. Substitution von Peptiden (freigesetzt von P. acnes oder S. saprophyticus) führte in dekontaminierten Mäusen zur Wiederherstellung der Immunzellfunktion and Proliferationsfähigkeit lymphatischer Zellen in Thymus and Milz. Kortison-Injektion bewirkte bei BALB/c-Mausen eine signifikante Reduktion von Thymozyten, zusätzliche Peptidinjektion führte zu einem Wiederanstieg der Thymozytenzahl, der statistisch signifikant war.

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: Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Heinz Flamm on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

^a: Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. Gerhard Pulverer, Institut für Med. Mikrobiologie and Hygiene der Universität, Goldenfelsstr. 19-21, D-5000 Küln 41

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Bacteria of Human Physiological Microflora Liberate Immunomodulating Peptides

Summary

Zusammenfassung

Lancet

Zbl. Bakt. Hyg. A

Zbl. Bakt. Hyg. A

Zbl. Bakt. Hyg. A

Lymphocyte adherence to high endothelial venules characterization of a modified in vitro assay and examination of the binding of syngeneic and allogeneic lymphocyte populations

J. Immunol

Precursors of T cell growth factor producing cells in the thymus: ontogeny, frequency, and quantitative recovery in a subpopulation of phenotypically mature thymocytes defined by monoclonal antibody GK -1.5

J. Exp. Med

T-cell clones and T-cell receptors

Microbiol. Rev

Lymphocyte subsets and surface molecules in man

Immunol. Rev

T-cell subsets defined by expression of Lyt-1,2,3 and Thy-1 antigens

J. Exp. Med

Evolutionary conservation of surface molecules that distinguish T-lymphocytes helper/inducer and cytotoxic/suppressor subpopulations in mouse and man

J. Exp. Med