The Immunomodulatory Effects of Lipoteichoic Acid from <i>Lactobacillus reuteri</i> L1 on RAW264.7 Cells and Mice Vary with Dose

The probiotic properties of <i>Lactobacillus reuteri</i> (<i>L. reuteri</i>) and its impact on immune function are well-documented. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a crucial immune molecule in Gram-positive bacteria. Despite extensive research on LTA's structural diversity, the immunomodulatory mechanisms of <i>L. reuteri</i> LTA remain largely unexplored. This study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of <i>L. reuteri</i> L1 LTA at various concentrations on RAW 264.7 cells and mice under normal and inflammatory conditions. We found that LTA does not significantly affect healthy subjects; however, low-concentration LTA can reduce inflammation induced by LPS in cells and mice, enhancing the abundance of dominant intestinal bacteria. In contrast, high-concentration LTA exacerbates intestinal damage and dysbiosis. Creatinine may play a role in this differential response. In summary, while LTA does not alter immune homeostasis in healthy organisms, low-concentration LTA may mitigate damage from immune imbalance, but high-concentration LTA can worsen it. This suggests a quantitative requirement for probiotic intake. Our study provides critical theoretical support for understanding the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics on the host and paves the way for future research into the immune mechanisms of probiotics.