Probiotic mixture VSL#3 reduces colonic inflammation and improves intestinal barrier function in Muc2 mucin-deficient mice

Abstract

It is unclear whether probiotics require an intact mucin barrier to first colonize and/or exert their protective functions. In this study we used mucin-deficient (Muc2^-/-) mice to interrogate if the multispecies probiotic mixture VSL#3 could enhance epithelial barrier function. In the absence of a mucus bilayer, VSL#3 dampened proinflammatory and chemokine production, accelerated restitution, and markedly improved gut permeability mediated by the short-chain fatty acid acetate in the colon.