Bacteroides fragilis derived metabolites, identified by molecular networking, decrease Salmonella virulence in mice model.

In the gut microbiota, resident bacteria prevent pathogens infection by producing specific metabolites. Among bacteria belonging to phylum Bacteroidota, we have previously shown that Bacteroides fragilis or its cell-free supernatant inhibited in vitro Salmonella Heidelberg translocation. In the present study, we have analyzed this supernatant to identify bioactive molecules after extraction and subsequent fractionation using a semi-preparative reversed-phase Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). The results indicated that only two fractions (F3 and F4) strongly inhibited S. Heidelberg translocation in a model mimicking the intestinal epithelium. The efficiency of the bioactive fractions was evaluated in BALB/c mice, and the results showed a decrease of S. Heidelberg in Peyer's patches and spleen, associated with a decrease in inflammatory cytokines and neutrophils infiltration. The reduction of the genus Alistipes in mice receiving the fractions could be related to the anti-inflammatory effects of bioactive fractions. Furthermore, these bioactive fractions did not alter the gut microbiota diversity in mice. To further characterize the compounds present in these bioactive fractions, Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) data were analyzed through molecular networking, highlighting cholic acid (CA) and deoxycholic acid. In vitro, CA had inhibitory activity against the translocation of S. Heidelberg by significantly decreasing the expression of Salmonella virulence genes such as sipA. The bioactive fractions also significantly downregulated the flagellar gene fliC, suggesting the involvement of other active molecules. This study showed the interest to characterize better the metabolites produced by B. fragilis to make them means of fighting pathogenic bacteria by targeting their virulence factor without modifying the gut microbiota.

Roseburia intestinalis Modulates PYY Expression in a New a Multicellular Model including Enteroendocrine Cells.

The gut microbiota contributes to human health and disease; however, the mechanisms by which commensal bacteria interact with the host are still unclear. To date, a number of in vitro systems have been designed to investigate the host-microbe interactions. In most of the intestinal models, the enteroendocrine cells, considered as a potential link between gut bacteria and several human diseases, were missing. In the present study, we have generated a new model by adding enteroendocrine cells (ECC) of L-type (NCI-H716) to the one that we have previously described including enterocytes, mucus, and M cells. After 21 days of culture with the other cells, enteroendocrine-differentiated NCI-H716 cells showed neuropods at their basolateral side and expressed their specific genes encoding proglucagon (GCG) and chromogranin A (CHGA). We showed that this model could be stimulated by commensal bacteria playing a key role in health, Roseburia intestinalis and Bacteroides fragilis, but also by a pathogenic strain such as Salmonella Heidelberg. Moreover, using cell-free supernatants of B. fragilis and R. intestinalis, we have shown that R. intestinalis supernatant induced a significant increase in IL-8 and PYY but not in GCG gene expression, while B. fragilis had no impact. Our data indicated that R. intestinalis produced short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate whereas B. fragilis produced more propionate. However, these SCFAs were probably not the only metabolites implicated in PYY expression since butyrate alone had no effect. In conclusion, our new quadricellular model of gut epithelium could be an effective tool to highlight potential beneficial effects of bacteria or their metabolites, in order to develop new classes of probiotics.

Silicon nanowires-based biosensors for the electrical detection of Escherichia coli.

One of the main challenges in terms of public health concerns the prevention of bacterial contamination using rapid, highly sensitive and specific detection techniques. The development of highly sensitive bacterial sensors for Escherichia coli detection based on networks of silicon nanowires has been carried out in this work. The interest of these nano-objects takes advantage in a large contact surface allowing potentially important interactions with bacteria. Their presence induces a change in electrical interaction through the silicon nanowires array and is the basis for the development of silicon nanowires based electrical resistances acting as bacteria sensors. High specificity of these sensors is ensured by chemical functionalization of the nanowires allowing the binding of specific antibodies targeting the lipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS) of E. coli, but not S. aureus. The sensor displays a sensitivity of 83 µA per decade of CFU/mL due to the nanometric dimensions of the nanowires. The electrical measurements ensure the detection of various E. coli concentrations down to 102 CFU/mL. This SiNW biosensor device demonstrated its potential as an alternative tool for real-time bacterial detection as miniaturizable and low-cost integrated electronic sensor compatible with the classical silicon technology.

Lichen butyrolactone derivatives disrupt oral bacterial membrane.

We have previously demonstrated that out of the butyrolactones series synthesized based on the natural lichen metabolite lichesterinic acid, compound (B-13) was the most effective against oral bacteria. However, its antibacterial mechanism is still unknown. In this study, we have investigated its bacterial localization by synthesizing a fluorescently labeled B-13 with NBD while maintaining its antibacterial activity. We showed that this compound binds to Streptococcus gordonii cell surface, as demonstrated by HPLC analysis. By adhering to cell surface, B-13 induced cell wall disruption leading to the release of bacterial constituents and consequently, the death of S. gordonii, a Gram-positive bacterium. A Gram-negative counterpart, Porphyromanas gingivalis, showed also cracked and ruptured cells in the presence of B-13. Besides, we also demonstrated that the analog of B-13, B-12, has also induced disruption of P. gingivalis and S. gordonii. This study revealed that butyrolactones can be considered as potent antibacterial compounds against oral pathogens causing medical complications.

cfxA expression in oral clinical Capnocytophaga isolates.

Capnocytophaga spp. are commensal bacteria involved in oral and systemic diseases, with a variable susceptibility to beta-lactams. The cfxA gene expression level was assessed using quantitative RT-PCR, and reasons of the observed misexpression were discussed, as insertion of foreign genetic material, contributing to dissemination and evolution of antibiotic resistance genes.