Genetically modified Lactococcus lactis: novel tools for drug delivery |
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| Authors: | LOTHAR STEIDLER KLAAS VANDENBROUCKE |
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| Affiliation: | Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, Transgenic Bacteriology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland and;Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium |
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| Abstract: | The dairy bacterium Lactococcus lactis can be genetically engineered to secrete bioactive cytokines. This enabled the development of an entirely novel drug delivery system: topical and active delivery of therapeutic proteins by genetically modified micro-organisms. In mice, intestinal inflammation can be successfully treated with interleukin-10- (IL-10) or trefoil factor-secreting L. lactis . In human application, biological containment is guaranteed by exchange of the gene encoding thymidylate synthase for IL-10. The recombinant strain is now absolutely dependent on exogenous thymidine. Thymidine starvation will irreversibly lead to 'thymidine-less death' induction. This accomplishment has opened applications in human medicine. |
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| Keywords: | Biological containment Cytokine Drug delivery GMO therapeutics Lactococcus lactis Thymidylate synthase |
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