Prophylactic administration of overproducing-abscisic acid Bacillus licheniformis attenuated DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating the gut microbiota and immune activity

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves the complex interplay among the mucosal barrier, microbiota, immunity and genetic factors. There are currently no satisfactory treatments for IBD. Administration of the probiotic Bacillus licheniformis (Bl) can improves colitis by regulating the gut microbiota. The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) treatment has favorable effects on immunity, as well as on inflammatory diseases like colitis. We hypothesized that the expression of an additional cyp gene by the Bl to increase its ABA production would enhance its effects. Results In this study, we found that a Bl-cyp strain overexpressing the cyp gene secreted more ABA into its supernatant than either the parental Bl stain or a Bl-pET82a strain expressing only a vector pET82a when these bacteria were grown in Nfb medium for 48 h. The prophylactic administration of the Bl-cyp strain culture more effectively attenuated dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice compared to the Bl and Bl-pET28a strains. These findings were associated with significantly reduced epithelial barrier damage, as well as increased number of goblet cells and expression levels of occludin gene in the colonic epithelial layer, and decreased serum LPS levels in the Bl-cyp group. In addition, the administration of Bl-cyp strain effectively regulated the disordered gut microbiota by improving their diversity, richness and compositions more than the Bl or Bl-pET82a strain, including the ratio of Bacteroidota: Bacillota. It also inhibited the excessive growth of opportunistic pathogen Escherichia just like the Bl or Bl-pET82a strain. Moreover, the preventive administration of the Bl-cyp strain to mice following DSS-induced colitis enhanced the proportion of Treg cells and suppressed the proportion of Th17 cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-22, and increased the level of anti-inflammatory IL-10 in colon tissues, similar to treatment with a high concentration of the ABA standard (ABA-H). Notably, the treatment with the Bl-cyp strain more effectively regulated the disordered microbiota than the ABA-H. Conclusions The administration of the Bl-cyp strain may provide a novel preventive approach for IBD, and may exert its effects by modulating the gut microbiota and host’s immune status.