Innovative Probiotic Treatment Poised to Transform Autoimmune Therapy
A groundbreaking advancement in the realm of autoimmune treatment has emerged, thanks to the pioneering work of researchers. A genetically engineered probiotic has been developed with the explicit aim of targeting autoimmune responses within the brain, which play a pivotal role in diseases like multiple sclerosis. This engineered probiotic introduces a new approach, where the probiotic bacteria produce lactate to regulate immune responses, leading to a reduction in brain inflammation. Importantly, this approach exhibits fewer adverse effects compared to conventional therapies.
The researchers hailing from Brigham and Women’s Hospital are pioneering a novel strategy to address autoimmune reactions within the brain. By harnessing the potential of engineered bacteria, they seek to enhance both the efficacy and safety of treating autoimmune conditions linked to the brain.
The team at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a foundational member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, has introduced a probiotic that aims to quell autoimmune reactions occurring within the brain. These immune responses, which involve the immune system targeting cells in the central nervous system, underpin several diseases, including the formidable challenge of multiple sclerosis.
In a recent study, the researchers showcased the treatment’s promise through preclinical models of these diseases. Their technique demonstrated a more targeted approach to addressing brain inflammation, with fewer detrimental side effects compared to conventional therapies. These remarkable findings have been detailed in the esteemed scientific journal Nature.
Lead author Francisco Quintana, PhD, of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, highlighted the transformative potential of engineered probiotics in revolutionizing the landscape of chronic disease treatment. Quintana emphasized that this approach capitalizes on the unique ability of living microbes to continuously produce the necessary active compound, making it especially crucial for managing lifelong diseases necessitating consistent treatment.
Autoimmune disorders affect around 5-8% of the U.S. population, yet treatment options remain limited for most of these conditions. The complexity of treating autoimmune diseases affecting the brain, such as multiple sclerosis, arises from their location. The blood-brain barrier, a protective mechanism isolating the brain from the circulatory system, often hampers the effectiveness of many pharmacological therapies targeting this region.
In their quest for innovative solutions, the researchers delved into the realm of dendritic cells, a type of immune cell abundant in the gastrointestinal tract and around the brain. While these cells play a role in regulating the broader immune system, their involvement in autoimmune diseases remains an enigma. By studying dendritic cells within the central nervous system of mice, the researchers pinpointed a biochemical pathway employed by these cells to halt immune attacks on the body.
Quintana elucidated the discovery, likening the identified mechanism to an immune system brake. He noted that this system usually functions in individuals, but autoimmune diseases disrupt this brake, leaving the body vulnerable to its own immune system.
The pivotal biochemical brake was found to respond to lactate, a molecule integral to numerous metabolic processes. Building upon this insight, the researchers ingeniously engineered probiotic bacteria capable of producing lactate.
While probiotics are not a novel concept, this cutting-edge application takes them to new heights. Quintana explained that by utilizing synthetic biology to prompt probiotic bacteria to synthesize disease-specific compounds, the therapeutic potential of probiotics is greatly amplified.
The researchers tested their engineered probiotic in mice exhibiting a disease closely resembling multiple sclerosis. Intriguingly, although these bacteria reside in the gut, they effectively mitigated the disease’s effects within the brain. Crucially, the bacteria were not detected in the mice’s bloodstream, implying that the observed impact resulted from biochemical communication between gut and brain cells.
Quintana underscored the growing realization that gut microbes exert a significant influence on the central nervous system. The study’s focus on multiple sclerosis aimed to ascertain whether this gut-brain interaction could be leveraged to treat autoimmune brain diseases, yielding promising results.
While the study primarily concentrated on mice, the researchers express optimism in translating their findings to clinical applications. They point out that the bacterial strain used in creating the probiotic has already undergone human testing. The team is also adapting their approach to tackle autoimmune diseases affecting other parts of the body, with a particular focus on gut-related conditions like inflammatory bowel syndrome.
With aspirations to extend their impact, Quintana and his colleagues are collaborating with Mass General Brigham Ventures to establish a company. This collaboration taps into the extensive research and innovation prowess of Mass General Brigham, which has given rise to numerous enterprises driving scientific innovation and economic growth on a global scale. These initiatives empower individuals worldwide to benefit from the groundbreaking discoveries stemming from Mass General Brigham’s endeavors.
Quintana’s closing remarks underline the immense potential of using living cells as a source of internal medicine. He asserts that if gut-dwelling microbes possess the capacity to influence brain inflammation, their potency could potentially be harnessed in diverse therapeutic scenarios beyond the brain.
Reference: “Lactate limits CNS autoimmunity by stabilizing HIF-1α in dendritic cells” by Liliana M. Sanmarco, Joseph M. Rone, Carolina M. Polonio, Gonzalo Fernandez Lahore, Federico Giovannoni, Kylynne Ferrara, Cristina Gutierrez-Vazquez, Ning Li, Anna Sokolovska, Agustin Plasencia, Camilo Faust Akl, Payal Nanda, Evelin S. Heck, Zhaorong Li, Hong-Gyun Lee, Chun-Cheih Chao, Claudia M. Rejano-Gordillo, Pedro H. Fonseca-Castro, Tomer Illouz, Mathias Linnerbauer, Jessica E. Kenison, Rocky M. Barilla, Daniel Farrenkopf, Nikolas A. Stevens, Gavin Piester, Elizabeth N. Chung, Lucas Dailey, Vijay K. Kuchroo, David Hava, Michael A. Wheeler, Clary Clish, Roni Nowarski, Eduardo Balsa, Jose M. Lora and Francisco J. Quintana, 9 August 2023, Nature.
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06409-6
Disclosures: Ning Li, Anna Sokolovska, David Hava, and Jose M. Lora were employees of Synlogic Therapeutics during the performance of some of these studies. Additional authors in this manuscript declare no competing financial interests.
Funding: This study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Cancer Society, the International Progressive MS Alliance, the German Research Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, the National Research Foundation of Korea. Further support was provided by fellowships from FAPESP BEPE, the European Molecular Biology Organization, and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Autoimmune Treatment
What is the focus of the research described in the text?
The research centers around the development of a genetically engineered probiotic aimed at addressing autoimmunity within the brain, particularly in diseases like multiple sclerosis.
How does the probiotic therapy work?
The probiotic bacteria produce lactate, a molecule involved in immune regulation. This helps to modulate immune responses and reduce brain inflammation associated with autoimmune conditions.
What benefits does the probiotic therapy offer?
The therapy offers a more targeted and effective approach compared to traditional treatments for autoimmune diseases in the brain. It has demonstrated a potential to mitigate negative side effects commonly associated with conventional therapies.
What is the significance of targeting autoimmune diseases in the brain?
Autoimmune diseases affecting the brain, such as multiple sclerosis, pose unique challenges due to the blood-brain barrier. This barrier limits the effectiveness of standard pharmacological treatments in accessing the brain.
What are the implications of harnessing engineered bacteria for treatment?
By utilizing synthetic biology to engineer probiotic bacteria, researchers are tapping into the potential of these microbes to produce specific compounds relevant to treating diseases. This could potentially revolutionize treatment strategies for various chronic conditions.
How was the probiotic therapy tested?
The probiotic was tested in mice models closely resembling multiple sclerosis. Even though the bacteria reside in the gut, they were found to have a positive impact on brain inflammation. This suggests intricate biochemical communication between gut and brain cells.
Could this approach be translated to clinical applications?
Yes, the researchers are optimistic about translating their findings into clinical settings. The strain of bacteria used in creating the probiotic has already undergone human testing, indicating the feasibility of clinical application.
What other areas of research are being explored?
The researchers are also working to adapt their approach for autoimmune diseases affecting other parts of the body, particularly focusing on conditions like inflammatory bowel syndrome.
What is the potential of this research for future treatments?
The research highlights the potential of using living cells, such as engineered probiotics, as a source of internal medicine. This approach could pave the way for more personalized and precise therapies, with broader applications beyond brain inflammation treatment.
More about Autoimmune Treatment
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Mass General Brigham
- Nature Journal
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases
- Synlogic Therapeutics
5 comments
interesting read. if dis new probiotic thng pans out, it cld hav big impacts on healthcare costs n treatments. gotta watch how dis unfolds.
if dese enginrd bactria rly work, it cud chng da whole healthcare game. autoimmune issues in da brain? dat’s a big deal!
ths s tech n biology comin 2gethr! enginrng bactria 4 med purposes? im impressd. hope it helps cure some real probs out there!
so dey say these tiny probiotics can help wit brain stuff? dat’s wild, man. cars r my thing but this is sum next-level stuff!
dis resrch cud b a real gamechanger, ya kno? usin probiotics 2 fight autoimmunity in da brain, it’s like science fiction come true!