Co-Culture with Bifidobacterium catenulatum Improves the Growth, Gut Colonization, and Butyrate Production of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Abstract

<i>Faecalibacterium prausnitzii</i> is a major commensal bacterium in the human gut. It produces short-chain fatty acids that promote intestinal health. However, the bacterium is extremely oxygen-sensitive, making it difficult to develop as a probiotic. To facilitate practical application of <i>F. prausnitzii</i>, we investigated factors that affect its growth and mammalian gut colonization. We evaluated cross-feeding interactions between <i>F. prausnitzii</i> and seven <i>Bifidobacterium</i> strains, and the anti-inflammatory properties of bacterial metabolites produced in co-culture, in vitro and in vivo. Co-culture of <i>F. prausnitzii</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium catenulatum</i>, with fructooligosaccharides as an energy source, resulted in the greatest viable cell-count and butyrate production increases. Further, the co-culture supernatant reduced the amount of proinflammatory cytokines produced by HT-29 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages, an effect that was similar to that of butyrate. Furthermore, feeding mice both <i>Faecalibacterium</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium</i> enhanced <i>F. prausnitzii</i> gut colonization. Finally, feeding the co-culture supernatant decreased interleukin 8 levels in the colon and increased butyrate levels in the cecum in the dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis mouse model. These observations indicate that the <i>Faecalibacterium</i>-<i>Bifidobacterium</i> co-culture exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by promoting <i>F. prausnitzii</i> survival and short-chain fatty acid production, with possible implications for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.