<i>Bb</i> and its soluble factors inhibit TNFα-induced phosphorylation of p38-MAPK in epithelial cells.

<p>A–C. HT29-19A cells were incubated for 4 hours on the apical surface with live <i>Bb</i> or commensal bacteria <i>B.breve</i> ATCC 15698, <i>L.rhamnosus</i> 10863, <i>E.rectale</i> L15 at MOI 100, together with basolateral TNFα. Activation of AP-1 assessed by EMSA was inhibited by ∼35% in the presence of <i>Bb</i>-CM and by ∼40% in the presence of <i>Bb</i>, but not in the presence of other bacteria. n = 2 independent experiments. D. HT29-19A cells were treated with TNFα±<i>Bb</i>-CM. Total proteins were analysed by SDS-PAGE and revealed with antibodies to phospho-p38-MAPK, p38-MAPK and β-actin. <i>Bb</i>-CM inhibited TNFα-induced phosphorylation of p38-MAPK from 15 to 30 min of incubation. n = 3 independent experiments.