Probiotic bacteria as carrier for a helminth-derived immunomodulator for the treatment of inflammatory disorders

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a genetically engineered probiotic microorganism—most notably, a modified Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 strain—which can express and secrete cystatin, a protein originally derived from parasitic nematodes. This designed probiotic acts as a delivery vehicle for cystatin in the gastrointestinal tract, where it can locally modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation, providing an innovative approach to treat inflammatory conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Therapeutic treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Development of oral probiotics as pharmaceutical interventions for gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders.
• Use as a food additive or supplement to help manage or reduce gastrointestinal inflammatory symptoms.
• Research into targeted delivery of biologic immunomodulators in the gut without systemic exposure.
• Potential adjunct therapy to reduce reliance on corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs in IBD patients.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables localized, efficient, and prolonged delivery of a potent immunomodulator directly to the site of gut inflammation.
• Combines the natural benefits of probiotics with advanced immune regulation resulting from nematode-derived cystatin.
• Reduces the risk of systemic side effects typical of current IBD treatments (e.g., corticosteroids, immunosuppressive biologics).
• Offers potential for safer, more cost-effective disease management compared to current therapies.
• Avoids challenges of protein degradation during oral delivery, thanks to site-specific secretion by probiotics.
• Demonstrated safety in animal models, with no observed adverse effects during use.
• May reduce the need for invasive procedures (e.g., bowel surgeries) and improve patient quality of life.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention is directed to a transgenic probiotic microorganism genetically engineered to express and secrete cystatin, wherein said cystatin is preferably comprises or consists of: - an amino acid sequence with SEQ ID NO. 1 to 3; and - an amino acid sequence that is at least 70% identical, preferably at least 80% identical, more preferably at least 90% identical and most preferably at least 99% identical to an amino acid sequence with SEQ ID NO. 1 to 3, and to its use for treatment of gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases.