New Strategy for Treating Autoimmunity
Posted 8/6/2007
Scientists in Ghent, Belgium, and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, have come up with a whole new – yet ancient – method of combating autoimmune diseases and allergies. The bacterium Lactococcus lactis has been used for millennia to convert milk into cheese and yogurt. Recently, these researchers began exploiting this bacterium’s properties to produce medicines for intestinal diseases directly in the digestive systems of those affected. Now, the scientists have set their sights on combating autoimmune and allergic disorders.
Although a number of active substances have been developed to treat autoimmune diseases, delivering them in a safe and effective way is a challenge. Delivery directly into the intestine is one method worthy of consideration.
The plan is for the scientists to introduce DNA with the code for a therapeutic protein into the bacterium’s DNA. The Lactococcus lactis will then be ingested by the patient and will produce the therapeutic protein in the gastrointestinal system.
Thus far, the research team has been able to introduce the genetic code for ovalbumin protein (egg white) into the bacterium. This altered bacteria was then given to mice specially bred to be allergic to ovalbumin. The bacteria produced the protein in the intestine, and the mice became tolerant of ovalbumin and no longer exhibited an allergic reaction to egg whites.
The rising incidence of allergic and autoimmune disorders calls for more effective treatments with fewer side effects, and the research team hopes this innovative strategy can be developed further for treatment of those diseases.
Huibregtse et al. Induction of OVA-specific tolerance by oral administration of Lactococcus lactis secreting OVA. Gastroenterology 2007.
