The gut microbiota is a considerable source of biologically active compounds that can promote intestinal homeostasis and improve immune responses. Here, we used large expression libraries of cloned metagenomic DNA to identify compounds able to sustain an anti-inflammatory reaction on host cells. Starting with a screen for NF-κB activation, we have identified overlapping clones harbouring a heterodimeric ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporter from a Firmicutes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 5 (MT5-MMP) deficiency in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) reduces brain neuroinflammation and amyloidosis, and prevents deficits in synaptic activity and cognition in prodromal stages of the disease. In addition, MT5-MMP deficiency prevents interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-mediated inflammation in the peripheral nervous system. In this context, we hypothesized that the MT5-MMP/IL-1β tandem could regulate nascent AD pathogenic events in developing neural cells shortly after the onset of transgene activation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: An Escherichia coli (E. coli) pathotype with invasive properties, first reported by Darfeuille-Michaud and termed adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC), was shown to be prevalent in up to half the individuals with Crohn's Disease (CD), suggesting that these bacteria could be involved in the pathophysiology of CD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe emergence of superbugs developing resistance to antibiotics and the resurgence of microbial infections have led scientists to start an antimicrobial arms race. In this context, we have previously identified an active RiPP, the Ruminococcin C1, naturally produced by E1, a symbiont of the healthy human intestinal microbiota. This RiPP, subclassified as a sactipeptide, requires the host digestive system to become active against pathogenic Clostridia and multidrug-resistant strains.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFis one of the most prevalent pathogens colonizing 50% of the world's population and causing gastritis and gastric cancer. Even with triple and quadruple antibiotic therapies, shows increased prevalence of resistance to conventional antibiotics and treatment failure. Due to their pore-forming activity, antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are considered as a good alternative to conventional antibiotics, particularly in the case of resistant bacteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe human Intestinal mucus is formed by glycoproteins, the O- and N-linked glycans which constitute a crucial source of carbon for commensal gut bacteria, especially when deprived of dietary glycans of plant origin. In recent years, a dozen carbohydrate-active enzymes from cultivated mucin degraders have been characterized. But yet, considering the fact that uncultured species predominate in the human gut microbiota, these biochemical data are far from exhaustive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTrefoil factors (TFFs) are bioactive peptides expressed by several epithelia, including the intestine, where they regulate key functions such as tissue regeneration, barrier function and inflammation. Although food-associated mycotoxins, including deoxynivalenol (DON), are known to impact many intestinal functions, modulation of TFFs during mycotoxicosis has never been investigated. Here, we analyzed the effect of DON on TFFs expression using both human goblet cells (HT29-16E cells) and porcine intestinal explants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn addition to deoxynivalenol (DON), acetylated derivatives, i.e., 3-acetyl and 15-acetyldexynivalenol (or 3/15ADON), are present in cereals leading to exposure to these mycotoxins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe intestinal epithelium possesses active immune functions including the production of proinflammatory cytokines and antimicrobial molecules such as nitric oxide (NO). As observed with immune cells, the production of NO by the intestinal epithelium is mainly due to the expression of the inducible NO synthase (iNOS or NOS2). Epithelial immune functions could be affected by many factors including pathogenic microorganisms and food-associated toxins (bacterial and fungal).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFScope: The food-associated mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is known to affect intestinal functions. However, its effect on intestinal mucus is poorly characterized.
Methods And Results: We analyzed the effects of DON on human goblet cells (HT29-16E cells) and porcine intestinal explants.
The food-associated mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) has been demonstrated to be deleterious to numerous cell types including brain cells. Although OTA has been proved to be toxic to astrocytes, no other investigation has been conducted on the impact of OTA on astrocytic functions. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of OTA on one of the major astrocytic functions, i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) is an amyloidogenic protein that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The ability of alpha-syn oligomers to form ionic channels is postulated as a channelopathy mechanism in human brain. Here we identified a ganglioside-binding domain in alpha-syn (fragment 34-50), which includes the mutation site 46 linked to a familial form of PD (E46K).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe interaction of squalamine (SQ) with eukaryotic and prokaryotic membranes was studied and compared with the interaction of two other cationic amphipathic antimicrobials (CAAs), i.e. the antibiotic polymyxin B (PMB) and the detergent hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Anandamide is a lipid neurotransmitter which belongs to a class of molecules termed the endocannabinoids involved in multiple physiological functions. Anandamide is readily taken up into cells, but there is considerable controversy as to the nature of this transport process (passive diffusion through the lipid bilayer vs. involvement of putative proteic transporters).
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