The Ability of Lactobacillus spp. to Limit Extracellular ATP Release by Urogenital Bacteria

Urgency urinary incontinence is a common symptom of overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary tract infection (UTI), which can be triggered by extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) through purinergic signaling. Current treatments for OAB and UTI fail to consider the potential impact of eATP. It is hypothesizes that certain commensal Lactobacillus spp. can modulate levels of eATP released by pathogenic bacteria. This project examined bacterial modulation of eATP during growth, the impact of prebiotics on lactobacilli growth, and studied its reduction in an in vitro bladder infection model. Release and uptake of ATP by a range of commensal and pathogenic bacteria was observed. Lactobacillus crispatus ATCC 33820 and Lactobacillus gasseri KC-1 able to reduce supplemented and E. coli IA2-derived ATP, was enhanced in culture with select prebiotics. This research builds a greater understanding of the handling of eATP by bacteria and suggests a prebiotic-probiotic application that could potentially improve bladder health