Tryptophol acetate and tyrosol acetate, metabolites secreted by a probiotic yeast, halt cytokine storm

Abstract

AbstractProbiotic fermented foods are perceived as contributing to human health and capable of protecting against inflammation, however solid mechanistic evidence for the presumptive therapeutic benefits is lacking. Here we report that tryptophol acetate and tyrosol acetate, small molecule metabolites secreted by the probiotic milk-fermented yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus exhibit remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. Comprehensive in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro experiments, employing LPS-induced ‘cytokine storm’ models, reveal dramatic effects of the two molecules, added in tandem, on mice morbidity, laboratory parameters and mortality. In parallel, significant attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β and TNF-α, and reduction of reactive oxygen species were recorded. Importantly, tryptophol acetate and tyrosol acetate did not completely suppress cytokine generation, but rather brought their concentrations back to baseline levels, further maintaining core immune functions, including phagocytosis. The anti-inflammatory effects of tryptophol acetate and tyrosol acetate were mediated through downregulation of TLR4, IL-1R, and TNFR signaling pathways and increased A20 expression, attenuating NF-κB level. In addition, the two molecules had a significant impact on mice microbiome, increasing the abundance of the genus Bactericides, known to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, this work illuminates pronounced and broad-based immune modulation properties of probiotic yeast-secreted metabolites, uncovering their mechanism of action and underscoring potential new therapeutic avenues for severe inflammation.