The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (11): 2026-2036.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2026.11.018

• Treatise:Mechanism and Practice • Previous Articles    

Protective effect of the probiotic roseburia intestinalis on heart failure⁃associated pulmonary injury in mice via the piezo1 signaling pathway

Yongheng CHEN1,Yanqing LE2,Qili WU3,Yuxi CHEN2,Suyi YE2,Jingqi CHEN2,Shilong ZHONG1,3,Jing LI1,2()   

  1. 1.School of Medicine,South China University of Technology,Guangzhou 510006,Guangdong,China
    2.Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine,Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences),Southern Medical University. Guangzhou 510080,Guangdong,China
    3.Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases,Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences),Southern Medical University. Guangzhou 510080,Guangdong,China
  • Received:2026-01-29 Online:2026-06-10 Published:2026-06-15
  • Contact: Jing LI E-mail:dr.lijing@gdph.org.cn

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the protective effects of the probiotic Roseburia intestinalis (Ri) against lung injury induced by heart failure (HF) in mice. Methods This was an experimental study. A total of 24 C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to four groups: sham, transverse aortic constriction (TAC), sham + Ri, and TAC + Ri. A heart failure model was established via transverse aortic constriction. After the surgery, the mice in the sham and TAC groups were given daily oral gavage of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 4 weeks, whereas the mice in the sham + Ri and TAC + Ri groups were administered Ri. Cardiac function was evaluated through echocardiography. Lung histopathological changes were assessed using hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. The expression and localization of E-cadherin and Piezo1 in lung tissues were detected by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In vitro, human bronchial epithelial 16HBE cells were treated with Yoda1 to induce Piezo1-related changes, followed by Ri intervention. Subsequently, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), E-cadherin expression, and inflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated. Results Compared with the sham group, TAC mice demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (FS) (both P < 0.05). Concurrently, there was a notable infiltration of inflammatory cells in the peribronchial regions, along with an elevation in the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in BALF (all P < 0.05). Additionally, in the lung tissues, E-cadherin expression was down-regulated, while Piezo1 expression was up-regulated (P < 0.05).When compared to the TAC group, TAC + Ri mice exhibited a significant improvement in LVEF and FS (both P < 0.05). There was a reduction in pulmonary inflammatory infiltration and a decrease in the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in BALF (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, E-cadherin expression increased, and Piezo1 expression decreased (P < 0.05).In vitro, treatment with Yoda1 led to an increase in Piezo1 expression (P < 0.05), a decrease in TEER (P < 0.05), a reduction in E-cadherin expression (P < 0.05), and an elevation in the mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines (P < 0.05). These alterations were partially reversed by the Ri intervention. Conclusion Ri alleviates heart failure?induced lung injury in mice, potentially due to its modulation of Piezo1-related signaling, preservation of airway epithelial barrier function, and attenuation of inflammatory responses.

Key words: Roseburia intestinalis, heart failure, cardiogenic lung injury, airway epithelial barrier, Piezo1

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