Engineering live attenuated vaccines: Old dogs learning new tricks

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiome research
• Genetic engineering

Background:

• Autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes) are rising globally.
• Current treatments have limitations, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
• The gut microbiome's role in autoimmune disease severity is increasingly recognized, with dysbiosis being a key factor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of engineered non-commensal bacteria as a therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases.
• To highlight current and emerging trends in utilizing these engineered microbes.
• To discuss their application in preventing and managing rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.

Main Methods:

• Genetic engineering and attenuation of non-commensal bacteria.
• Engineering bacteria to express immunomodulatory molecules like anti-inflammatory cytokines and autoantigens.
• Engineering bacteria to synthesize beneficial microbial metabolites.
• Review of current literature on engineered bacteria for autoimmune disease therapy.

Main Results:

• Engineered non-commensal bacteria serve as versatile platforms for modulating immune responses.
• These engineered microbes can express therapeutic gene products to suppress autoimmunity.
• Potential for rebalancing the gut microbiome and mitigating autoimmune symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Engineered non-commensal bacteria represent a promising frontier in autoimmune disease treatment.
• This approach offers a malleable platform to address immune imbalances in rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.
• Further research and development could lead to novel preventative and therapeutic strategies.