Comprehensive analysis of metabolites produced by co-cultivation of Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 with human iPS-derived intestinal epithelial cells

Examining how host cells affect metabolic behaviors of probiotics is pivotal to better understand the mechanisms underlying the probiotic efficacy in vivo. However, studies to elucidate the interaction between probiotics and host cells, such as intestinal epithelial cells, remain limited. Therefore, in this study, we performed a comprehensive metabolome analysis of a co-culture containing Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS)-derived small intestinal-like cells. In the co-culture, we observed a significant increase in several amino acid metabolites, including indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) and phenyllactic acid (PLA). In accordance with the metabolic shift, the expression of genes involved in ILA synthesis, such as transaminase and tryptophan synthesis-related genes, was also elevated in B. breve MCC1274 cells. ILA production was enhanced in the presence of purines, which were possibly produced by intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). These findings suggest a synergistic action of probiotics and IECs, which may represent a molecular basis of host-probiotic interaction in vivo.

Automated summary

Examining the influence of host cells on the metabolism of probiotics is crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of probiotics in vivo. However, there is limited research on the interaction between probiotics and host cells, such as intestinal epithelial cells. In this study, a comprehensive metabolome analysis was conducted on a co-culture of Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS)-derived small intestinal-like cells, revealing increased levels of amino acid metabolites and gene expression related to ILA synthesis in B. breve MCC1274 cells. The presence of purines produced by intestinal epithelial cells enhanced ILA production, suggesting a synergistic interaction between probiotics and IECs as the molecular basis of host-probiotic interaction in vivo.