Potential probiotics for regulation of the gut-lung axis to prevent or alleviate influenza in vulnerable populations

Yi-Hsiang Wang ； Aniket Limaye ； Je-Ruei Liu ； Tai-Na Wu

《Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine》 13卷2期 (2023/03) Pp. 161-169

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2022.08.004

摘要

Influenza, also known as "flu", is an infectious disease caused by influenza viruses. Three types of influenza virus, A, B, and C, are able to infect humans. In most people, influenza causes mild symptoms, but it can also induce severe complications and death. Annual influenza vaccines are currently the main intervention used to minimize mortality and morbidity. However, vaccination frequently fails to provide adequate protection, especially in the elderly. Traditional flu vaccine targets hemagglutinin to prevent virus infection, but the constant mutation of hemagglutinin means that it is a challenge to develop vaccines quickly enough to keep up with mutations. Thus, other methods of curbing influenza incidence would be welcomed, especially for vulnerable populations. Although influenza viruses primarily infect the respiratory tract, influenza virus infection also induces intestinal dysbiosis. Through gut microbiota-derived secreted products and the circulating immune cells, gut microbiota can affect pulmonary immunity. The crosstalk between the respiratory tract and gut microbiota, termed the "gut-lung axis", is observed in the regulation of immune responses against influenza virus infection or inflammation-induced lung damage, indicating the possibility of using probiotics to prevent influenza virus infection or alleviate respiratory symptoms. In this review, we summarize the current findings on the antiviral functions of particular probiotics and/or combinations and discuss the antiviral mechanisms and immunomodulatory activities of probiotics in vitro, in mice, and in humans. Clinical studies show pro-biotic supplements can provide health benefits, not only to the elderly or children with compromised immune systems, but also to young- and middle-aged adults.

關鍵字

Influenza ； Microbiota ； Gut-lung axis ； Probiotics ； Immunomodulatory

參考文獻

Kalil AC, Thomas PG. Influenza virus-related critical illness: pathophysiology and epidemiology. Crit Care. 2019;23(1):258.

Iuliano AD, Roguski KM, Chang HH, et al. Estimates of global seasonal influenza-associated respiratory mortality: a modelling study. Lancet. 2018;391(10127):1285-1300.

Paules C, Subbarao K. Influenza. Lancet. 2017;390(10095):697-708.

Reber AJ, Chirkova T, Kim JH, et al. Immunosenescence and challenges of vaccination against influenza in the aging population. Aging and disease. 2012;3(1):68-90.

Wong SS, Webby RJ. Traditional and new influenza vaccines. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2013;26(3):476-492.