Disruption of Genes Encoding Putative Zwitterionic Capsular Polysaccharides of Diverse Intestinal Bacteroides Reduces the Induction of Host Anti-Inflammatory Factors

Bacterial zwitterionic capsular polysaccharides (ZPS), such as polysaccharide A (PSA) of the intestinal commensal Bacteroides fragilis, have been shown to modulate T cells, including inducing anti-inflammatory IL-10-secreting T regulatory cells (Tregs). We previously used a genomic screen to identify diverse host-associated bacteria with the predicted genetic capacity to produce ZPSs related to PSA of B. fragilis and hypothesized that genetic disruption (KO) of a key functional gene within these operons would reduce the anti-inflammatory activity of these bacteria. We found that ZPS-KO bacteria in two common gut commensals, Bacteroides uniformis and Bacteroides cellulosilyticus, had a reduced ability to induce Tregs and IL-10 in stimulations of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Additionally, we found that macrophage stimulated with either wildtype B. fragilis or B. uniformis produced significantly more IL-10 than KOs, indicating a potentially novel function of ZPS of shifting the cytokine response in macrophages to a more anti-inflammatory state. These findings support the hypothesis that these related ZPS may represent a shared strategy to modulate host immune responses.