Landes Highlights

a recombinant Lactococcus lactis strain delivering the anti-inflammatory cytokine iL-10 under a stress inducible promoter was tested in a murine model of irritable bowel syndrome (iBs). iBs is a functional gastrointestinal disorder and is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and gut dysfunction. the stress inducible controlled expression (siCe) system used for heterologous expression of iL-10 might allow specific and local production and delivery of the protein. administration of recombinant L. lactis was shown to significantly decrease interstitial hyperpermeability, decrease changes in apical junction proteins, decrease systemic and mucosal pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and restore t-cell variations and colon serotonin level variations. the authors conclude that the successful use of an iL-10-producing strain to treat a microinflammation status suggests a possible role for this type of therapy in the future.