Limosilactobacillus reuteri-educated T cells protect against activation of liver inflammation in immunocompromised mice 2229185

Y Yuying Liu (State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Intelligent Manufacture and Functional Applications) A Ana Fadhel-Alvarez (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) Z Zheng Yin B Beanna Okeugo (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) A Alexander Banerjee (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) S Salomea Giorgberidze (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) V Vaishali Harne (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) M Majji Rambabu H Hari Yalamanchili (Baylor College of Medicine) S Suhair Al Salihi (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston) J J Marc Rhoads (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Oral administration of probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 prolongs survival and reduces Th1- and Th2-associated inflammation in Treg-deficient scurfy (SF) mice, which model human IPEX syndrome. It is unclear how DSM 17938 educated SF-CD4+T cells can facilitate T cell-liver communication. Methods We adoptively transferred by intraperitoneal injection cells isolated from SF spleens into lymphocyte-deficient-RAG1KO mice and compared the CD4+T cells from SF mice gavage-fed with DSM 17938 with the CD4+T cells from untreated SF mice (Prob-SF-CD4+T cells versus SF-CD4+T cells). Liver inflammatory histology and transcriptomes in RAG1KO mice were analyzed. Results We observed that Prob-SF-CD4+T cells reduced the incidence and severity of liver inflammation caused by transferring SF-CD4+T cells. SF-CD4+T cells up-regulated expression of liver genes involved in TLR cascades, inflammatory cytokine and death receptor signals, while down-regulated genes linked to mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, TCA cycle, liver detoxification and lipid metabolism. However, Prob-SF-CD4+T cell transfer reversed SF-CD4+T cell-induced transcriptomic changes in inflammatory and metabolic clusters by modulating distinct genes participating in TLR regulation, mitochondrial function and cell cycle. Conclusion In conclusion, inflammatory CD4+T cells can perpetuate an exaggerated immune response in the immunologically naïve host. DSM17938 has the capacity to reprogram inflammatory CD4+T cells and allowed them to benefit the recipient. Probiotic-modulated T cells can be further explored as a therapeutic option for autoimmune liver diseases. Funding Source National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) R03AI153725 Topic Categories Therapeutic Approaches to Autoimmunity (THER)

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 215, Issue Supplement_1
Published August 01, 2026
ISSN 0022-1767
Publisher American Association of Immunologists

Authors (11)

Y

Yuying Liu

State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Carbohydrate Intelligent Manufacture and Functional Applications

A

Ana Fadhel-Alvarez

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Z

Zheng Yin

B

Beanna Okeugo

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

A

Alexander Banerjee

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

S

Salomea Giorgberidze

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

V

Vaishali Harne

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

M

Majji Rambabu

H

Hari Yalamanchili

Baylor College of Medicine

S

Suhair Al Salihi

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

J

J Marc Rhoads

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston