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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Dairy and Functional Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #284188
Title: Colon-specific delivery of a probiotic-derived soluble protein ameliorates intestinal inflammation in mice through an EGFR-dependent mechanism

Author
item YAN, F. - Vanderbilt University
item CAO, H. - Vanderbilt University
item Liu, Linshu
item COVER, T. - Vanderbilt University
item WASHINGTON, M. - Vanderbilt University
item SHI, Y. - Vanderbilt University
item CHATURVEDI, R. - Vanderbilt University
item PEEK, R. - Vanderbilt University
item WILSON, B. - Vanderbilt University
item POLK, B. - Vanderbilt University

Submitted to: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2011
Publication Date: 6/1/2011
Citation: Yan, F., Cao, H., Liu, L.S., Cover, T.L., Washington, M.K., Shi, Y., Chaturvedi, R., Peek, R.M., Wilson, B., Polk, B. 2011. Colon-specific delivery of a probiotic-derived soluble protein ameliorates intestinal inflammation in mice through an EGFR-dependent mechanism. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 121(6):2242-2253.

Interpretive Summary: Probiotics are health-promoting bacteria which may protect the intestines from injury and inflammatory diseases but our understanding of the mechanisms for probiotic action are limited. In this study, we hypothesized that a protein, known as p40, which is derived from the probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), activates special receptors in the colon which ultimately helps prevent inflammation. To target these receptors in the colon, we constructed hydrogel bead capsules from two edible biopolymers: pectin, which is extracted from fruit peels, and zein, which is a protein isolated from corn, to contain the p40. In previous experiments, we have demonstrated that these capsules can deliver therapeutics to the colon via the oral route, showing great potential for use in colon-specific drug delivery. We demonstrated here for the first time that the encapsulated water-soluble protein p40, was active at the colonic site, as it reduced the chronic inflammation in colitis using mouse models. This collaborative research is also significant, because it is the last step in testing the pectin/zein drug delivery system prior to clinical testing in humans.

Technical Abstract: Probiotics are health-promoting bacteria which may protect the intestines from injury and inflammatory diseases but our understanding of the mechanisms for probiotic action are limited. In this study, we hypothesized that a protein, known as p40, which is derived from the probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), activates special receptors in the colon which ultimately helps prevent inflammation. To target these receptors in the colon, we constructed hydrogel bead capsules from two edible biopolymers: pectin, which is extracted from fruit peels, and zein, which is a protein isolated from corn, to contain the p40. In previous experiments, we have demonstrated that these capsules can deliver therapeutics to the colon via the oral route, showing great potential for use in colon-specific drug delivery. We demonstrated here for the first time that the encapsulated water-soluble protein p40, was active at the colonic site, as it reduced the chronic inflammation in colitis using mouse models. This collaborative research is also significant, because it is the last step in testing the pectin/zein drug delivery system prior to clinical testing in humans.