Project description:Bifidobacterium isolates from the human vaginal microbiome including B. breve, B. longum, and unclassified Bifidobacterium spp. Genome sequencing and assembly
Project description:Bifidobacterium thermophilum RBL67 (RBL67), a human fecal isolate and promising probiotic candidate, showed antagonistic and protective effects against Salmonella and Listeria in vitro. However, the underlying mechanisms fostering these health-related effects remain unknown. Therefor the transcriptome response of RBL67 and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium N-15 (N-15) in co-culture compared to the response in their respective mono-cultures. RNA was extracted from culture samples taken after 4 (N-15) or 5 h (RBL67) and RNAseq was performed on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencer. Three biological replciates were performed resulting in 12 data sets: 3 RBL67 mono culture, 3 N15 mono-culture, 3 RBL67 co-culture, 3 N15 co-culture. Our study provided first insights into probiotic-pathogen interaction on transcriptional level and suggests a mechanism for how probiotic organisms can protect the host from infections.
Project description:Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) function as prebiotics for beneficial bacteria in the developing gut, often dominated by Bifidobacterium spp. To understand the relationship between Bifidobacterium utilizing HMOs and how the metabolites that are produced could affect the host, we analyzed the metabolism of HMO 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3FL and difucosyllactose (DFL) in Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis Bi-26 and ATCC15697. RNA-seq and metabolite analysis was performed on samples at early (A600=0.25), mid-log (0.5-0.7) and late-log phases (1.0-2.0) of growth.
Project description:<p><em>Candida</em> species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infections. Rapid identification and novel approaches for the characterization of these fungi are of great interest to improve the diagnosis and the knowledge about their pathogenic properties. This study aimed to characterize clinical isolates of <em>Candida</em> spp. by proteomics (MALDI-TOF MS) and metabolomics (<sup>1</sup>H-NMR), and to correlate their metabolic profiles with <em>Candida</em> species, source of infection and different virulence associated parameters. In particular, 49 <em>Candida</em> strains from different sources (blood, n = 15; vagina, n = 18; respiratory tract, n = 16), belonging mainly to <em>C. albicans</em> complex (61%), <em>C. glabrata</em> (20%) and <em>C. parapsilosis</em> (12%) species were used. Several extracellular and intracellular metabolites showed significantly different concentrations among isolates recovered from different sources of infection, as well as among different <em>Candida</em> species. These metabolites were mainly related to the glycolysis or gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, nucleic acid synthesis and amino acid and lipid metabolism. Moreover, we found specific metabolic fingerprints associated with the ability to form biofilm, the antifungal resistance (i.e. caspofungin and fluconazole) and the production of secreted aspartyl proteinase. In conclusion, <sup>1</sup>H-NMR-based metabolomics can be useful to deepen <em>Candida</em> spp. virulence and pathogenicity properties.</p>
Project description:Acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by lung inflammation and damage. Mechanical ventilation can exacerbate this condition. The gut microbiome, known to impact health, might have implications for ALI/ARDS outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotics in a murine ALI model. Using a two-hit approach combining lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation and mechanical ventilation-induced injury, a severe lung injury model was established in mice. Probiotics containing Bifidobacterium spp. were administered due to their known interactions with immune cells and immune pathway modulation. The effects of probiotic administration on lung inflammation severity were evalu ated through biochemical, and histological analyses of lung tissue, and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. Probiotic administration increased Bifidobacterium spp. composition in the gut microbiota and mitigated lung damage and inflammation. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed the stimulation of Anxa1high macrophages, possibly promoting anti-inflammatory responses.