Genetically Modified Lactic Acid Bacteria: a Promising Mucosal Delivery Vector for Vaccines

Area of Science:

• Immunology and Vaccinology
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Mucosal vaccines target pathogen entry points, revolutionizing immunology.
• Genetically modified lactic acid bacteria (gmLAB) are promising vectors for mucosal antigen delivery.
• gmLAB possess probiotic properties, survive the GI tract, and interact with the immune system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in gmLAB-based mucosal vaccine delivery.
• To highlight mechanisms, current progress, challenges, and future prospects.
• To explore the potential of gmLAB in preventing infections and in immunotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Genetic engineering to express antigens in gmLAB.
• Evaluation of immune responses (mucosal and systemic) elicited by gmLAB vaccines.
• Assessment of safety, stability, and production cost-effectiveness.

Main Results:

• gmLAB successfully express diverse antigens, inducing protective immunity.
• gmLAB-based vaccines elicit both mucosal and systemic immune responses.
• gmLAB vectors demonstrate good safety, stability, and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• gmLAB represent a viable platform for developing recombinant mucosal vaccines.
• LAB vaccines show potential against viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens.
• gmLAB hold promise for immunotherapy in allergies and cancers.