Enhanced Longevity and Immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans through ingestion of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001: A Multi-Omics Study

Lactic acid bacteria are widely used as probiotics owing to their health-promoting properties. This study aimed to evaluate <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> SKO-001 (SKO-001) as a probiotic candidate using <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> as a model organism. Our findings indicate that SKO-001 shows significantly stronger adhesive properties in <i>C. elegans</i> compared to <i>Escherichia coli</i> OP50, a standard dietary component used in laboratory settings for <i>C. elegans</i>, and the well-known probiotic <i>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</i> GG (LGG). SKO-001 led to a significant increase in the longevity of <i>C. elegans</i> compared to those fed OP50. Additionally, pre-conditioning with SKO-001 significantly enhanced resistance to foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that <i>C. elegans</i> fed with SKO-001 showed a significant increase in the expression of genes involved in the innate immune system, particularly those related to C-type lectins and lysozymes, compared to those fed with OP50. This suggests that feeding SKO-001 may boost immune responses against pathogens. Metabolomic analysis showed higher levels of lactic acid, L-valine, and L-isoleucine in <i>C. elegans</i> fed SKO-001 than in those fed OP50. Taken together, this research demonstrates the health-promoting potential of <i>L. plantarum</i> SKO-001 through multi-omics analysis, highlighting its capacity to extend lifespan and boost immune response in <i>C. elegans.</i>