LactoVES · Immunomodulatory properties of L. plantarum extracellular vesicles in airway allergy

Immunomodulatory properties of L. plantarum extracellular vesicles in airway allergy

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common condition affecting up to 30% of European adults. It significantly reduces quality of life by disrupting daily activities, sleep, and work. AR is closely linked to early-onset asthma, a chronic lung condition. AR occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens like pollen, which can also cause cross-reactions to certain fruits and vegetables, worsening symptoms. AR leads to substantial economic costs, with the U.S. alone spending around $3.4 billion annually on direct costs, including medication, and an estimated $10 billion in indirect costs. Current treatments involve long and painful desensitization processes that can risk severe allergic reactions, highlighting the need for better alternatives. One promising area of research involves probiotics—live bacteria that, when taken in the right amounts, offer health benefits. Some studies suggest probiotics can reduce allergic reactions, but there are risks, especially for people with weakened immune systems. A new approach focuses on postbiotics, which are non-living byproducts of probiotics. These may offer similar benefits without the risks connected with the usage of live bacteria. One of the postbiotics are bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny structures released by bacteria. Research is now exploring the potential of EVs from a specially engineered strain of bacteria, L. plantarum, to prevent or treat allergies, especially through nasal application. This project aims to test the possibility of bacterial EVs intranasal usage in the therapy or prevention of allergy. The results could align with cutting-edge scientific research on microbial therapies and immune tolerance. From the scientific point of view this project will answer the following questions: Do EVs from probiotic bacteria behave like the bacteria they come from, or do they have entirely different characteristics? Could they be used in therapies instead of whole bacteria? The results of this research will align with cutting-edge scientific trends and significantly contribute to our understanding of both microbiology and immunology. The knowledge gained could one day lead to new allergy therapies based on EVs from probiotic bacteria. Additionally, the protocols developed in this project will be applicable to studying vesicles from other probiotic strains that are planned to be used in the clinics. From the economical point of view, given that up to 30% of the population suffers from allergies, the potential impact of this research is vast. Allergies are a growing public health concern, and any new insights could be crucial in developing better, more effective and less costly treatments.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union