HK1141555B - Probiotic bifidobacterium strains - Google Patents

Description

Probiotic bifidobacteria strains

Introduction to the design reside in

The present invention relates to bifidobacterium strains and their use as probiotics, in particular as immunomodulatory biotherapeutics.

The defense mechanisms that protect the human gastrointestinal tract from colonization by intestinal bacteria are quite complex and involve the fields of immunology and non-immunology (1). Innate defense mechanisms include low pH of the stomach, bile salts, peristalsis, mucin layers, and antimicrobial compounds such as lysozyme (2). Immunological mechanisms include idiopathic Peyer's patch, a basal M cell, also known as Peyer's patch, distributed throughout the small intestine and colon (3). Presentation of luminal antigens at these sites results in stimulation of appropriate T and B cell subtypes, thereby establishing a cytokine network and secreting antibodies into the gastrointestinal tract (4). Furthermore, antigens can be presented to both the epithelial lymphocytes and the basal lamina propria immune cells by epithelial cells (5). Thus, the host is considerably dependent on the immune defenses of the gastrointestinal tract. However, since the gastrointestinal mucosa is the largest surface of the host that interacts with the external environment, the specific control mechanisms that occur on it must be able to properly regulate the immune response to hundreds of tons of food handled by the gastrointestinal tract during the average lifetime. Moreover, the digestive tract is colonized with over 500 species of bacteria, the number in the colon being 10¹¹-10¹²(ii) in terms of/g. Thus, these control mechanisms must be able to distinguish non-pathogenic adherent bacteria from invasive pathogens that cause significant harm to the host. In fact, the intestinal flora is of great benefit to host defense by competing with newly ingested potentially pathogenic microorganisms.

Bacteria present in the human gastrointestinal tract can cause inflammation. Abnormal immune responses to the resident microbial flora may involve certain disease states, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Antigens associated with normal flora often lead to immune tolerance, and failure to achieve such tolerance is a major mechanism of mucosal inflammation (6). In patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), evidence of compromised tolerance includes elevated levels of antibodies to the gut flora.

The present invention relates to strains of bifidobacterium which may be shown to have immunomodulatory effects by modulating cytokine levels or by antagonizing and excreting pro-inflammatory microorganisms from the gastrointestinal tract.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides bifidobacterium strain AH1206(NCIMB41382) or mutants or variants thereof.

The mutant is a genetically modified mutant. The variant is a naturally occurring variant of bifidobacterium.

The strain is a probiotic. It is in the form of a biologically pure culture.

The invention also provides an isolate of bifidobacterium NCIMB 41382.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bifidobacterium strain is present in the form of viable cells. Or the Bifidobacterium strain is in the form of non-viable cells

In one embodiment of the invention, the bifidobacterium strain is isolated from infant faeces, which bifidobacterium strain is significantly immunomodulatory following oral consumption in humans.

The invention also provides a preparation containing the bifidobacterium strain.

In one embodiment of the invention, the formulation includes other prebiotic substances.

In one embodiment of the invention, the formulation includes a prebiotic substance.

Preferably, the formulation includes an ingestable carrier. The ingestable carrier may be a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as a capsule, tablet or powder. Preferably, the ingestible carrier may be a food product, such as acidified milk, yoghurt, frozen yoghurt, milk powder, milk concentrate, cheese spreads, dressings or beverages.

In one embodiment of the invention, the machine according to the invention also comprises proteins and/or peptides, in particular proteins and/or peptides rich in glutamine/glutamate, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and/or trace elements.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bifidobacterium strain is present at more than 10 per gram of delivery system⁶The amount of cfu is present in the formulation. Preferably, the formulation comprises one or more adjuvants, bacterial components, pharmaceutical entities or biological compounds.

In one embodiment of the invention, the formulation may be used in immunization and vaccination protocols.

The invention also provides for use as a food, as a medicament, for the prevention and/or treatment of undesirable inflammatory activity, for the prevention and/or treatment of undesirable respiratory inflammatory activity (e.g. asthma), for the prevention and/or treatment of undesirable gastrointestinal inflammatory activity (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease such as crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic enteritis, or post-infectious colitis), for the prevention and/or treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, for the prevention and/or treatment of systemic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, for the prevention and/or treatment of autoimmune disorders caused by undesirable inflammatory activity, for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer caused by undesirable inflammatory activity, for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoeal disease caused by undesirable inflammatory activity (e.g. diarrhoea associated with Clostridium difficile), for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea, Rotavirus associated diarrhea or post-infection diarrhea), a bifidobacterium strain or formulation for use in the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhea diseases caused by infectious agents such as e.

The invention also provides a bifidobacterium strain or a formulation as described herein for use in the manufacture of an anti-inflammatory biotherapeutic agent for the prevention and/or treatment of undesirable inflammatory activity, or for use in the manufacture of a plurality of anti-inflammatory biotherapeutic agents for the prevention and/or treatment of undesirable inflammatory activity.

In one embodiment of the invention, the strains according to the invention may act by antagonizing and excluding proinflammatory microorganisms from the gastrointestinal tract.

The invention also provides a bifidobacterium strain or a formulation as described herein for use in the preparation of an anti-inflammatory biotherapeutic agent for reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The invention also provides a bifidobacterium strain as described herein for use in the preparation of an anti-inflammatory biotherapeutic agent for modulating IL-10 levels.

The invention may also provide the use of a bifidobacterium strain as an anti-infective probiotic due to its ability to antagonize the growth of pathogenic species.

The invention may also provide the use of a bifidobacterium strain in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of asthma and/or allergic reactions. The medicament may be in a form suitable for inhalation.

The invention may further provide the use of a bifidobacterium strain in the manufacture of an anti-inflammatory biotherapeutic agent for lowering IgE levels.

The inventors have also found that specific bifidobacterium strains are capable of eliciting an immunomodulatory effect in vitro.

The invention may therefore have potential therapeutic value in the prevention or treatment of a dysregulated immune response, for example an adverse inflammatory response such as asthma and/or allergy.

Bifidobacteria are symbiotic microorganisms. It is isolated from the microbial flora in the gastrointestinal tract of the human body. The immune system in the gastrointestinal tract does not respond significantly to members of this flora since the resulting inflammatory activity also destroys host cell and tissue function. Thus, there are mechanisms by which the immune system is able to recognize commensal nonpathogenic members of the gastrointestinal flora that are distinct from pathogenic organisms. This ensures that damage to host tissue is limited and still maintains a defensive barrier.

Bifidobacterium longum strain AH1206 was deposited at NCIMB at 2006, 3/15, under the accession number NCIMB 41382.

The bifidobacterium longum may be a genetically modified mutant strain or may be a naturally occurring variant strain.

Preferably, the bifidobacterium longum is in the form of viable cells.

Alternatively, the bifidobacterium longum may be in the form of non-viable cells.

It will be appreciated that a particular bifidobacterium strain of the invention may be administered to animals, including humans, in orally ingestible form in conventional formulations such as capsules, microcapsules, tablets, granules, powders, lozenges, pills, suppositories, suspensions and syrups. Suitable formulations may be prepared by conventional methods using conventional organic and inorganic additives. The amount of active ingredient in the pharmaceutical composition may be manipulated according to the desired therapeutic effect.

The formulation may also comprise a bacterial component, a pharmaceutical entity or a biological compound.

In addition, vaccines containing the strains of the invention may be prepared using any suitable known method and may include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or adjuvants.

In the present specification, the terms mutant, variant and genetically modified mutant include strains of bifidobacterium which have altered genotypic and/or phenotypic properties compared to the parent strain. Naturally occurring variants of bifidobacterium longum include spontaneous alterations to the selected targeting properties isolated. Deliberate alterations to the properties of the parent strain are effected by conventional (in vitro) genetic manipulation techniques, e.g., gene disruption, conjugal transfer, etc. Genetic modification includes the introduction of exogenous and/or endogenous DNA sequences into the genome of a bifidobacterium strain, for example by insertion of a vector (including plasmid DNA or phage) into the genome of the bacterial strain.

Natural or induced mutations include changes of at least a single base, such as deletions, insertions, transformations, or other DNA modifications, which can result in changes in the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA sequence.

The terms mutant, variant and genetically modified mutant also include strains of bifidobacterium which have undergone genetic alterations which accumulate in the genome at a rate consistent for all microorganisms in nature and/or which occur through spontaneous mutations and/or acquisition of and/or loss of genes, not through deliberate (in vitro) manipulation of the genome but through natural selection of the variant and/or mutant which can provide a selective advantage when exposed to environmental stresses such as antibiotics to support bacterial survival. Mutants can be generated by deliberate (in vitro) insertion of specific genes into the genome, which do not fundamentally alter the biochemical function of the organism in question, but whose products can be used for identifying or screening bacteria for, for example, antibiotic resistance.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that mutants or variants of bifidobacteria can be identified by DNA sequence homology analysis with the parent strain. Strains of bifidobacterium having close sequence identity to the parent strain are considered mutants or variants. A strain of bifidobacterium having 96% or more sequence identity (homology) with a parent strain, for example 97% or more, or 98% or more, or 99% or more, is considered a mutant or variant. The homology of the sequences can be determined using the online homology algorithm "BLAST" program, disclosed in http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/.

Mutants of a parent strain also include those derived from a strain of bifidobacterium having at least 85% sequence homology, for example at least 90% sequence homology or at least 95% sequence homology to the 16s-23s intergenic spacer polynucleotide sequence of the parent strain. These mutants also comprise DNA mutations of other DNA sequences in the bacterial genome.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a BOX PCR (bioanalyzer) barcode diagram of Bifidobacterium longum AH 1206. Base pair size was determined using Agilent2100 software.

Figure 2 illustrates fecal recovery of bifidobacterium longum AH1206 during the 8-day feeding period and demonstrates that AH1206 is able to survive in the gastrointestinal tract of mice.

FIG. 3 is a bar graph illustrating the effect of Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 on IL-10 cytokine production by human PBMCs. Results are expressed as mean +/-SE (n ═ 6).

Figure 4 is a bar graph showing the effect of bifidobacterium longum AH1206 feeding on eosinophil recruitment to the lung of sensitized mice. (A) The total number of cells present in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was reduced in mice fed AH 1206; (B) BAL-based differentiated cell counts revealed that the reduction in cell number was mainly in eosinophil populations. (cell number is expressed on the y-axis (. times.10)⁴) (ii) a Relative to placebo^*p＜0.05)。

Figures 5A and B illustrate the effect of probiotic strain AH1206(a) and placebo (B) on total cell number in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of sensitized animals following challenge with Ovalbumin (OVA) (n 10/group versus OVA alone)^*＝p＜0.05)。

Figures 6A and B illustrate the effect of probiotic strain AH1206(a) and placebo (B) on methacholine airway reactivity, assessed by the change in increased quiescence (Penh) in Ovalbumin (OVA) -sensitized mice after 24 hours of intranasal challenge with OVA or saline. Each data point represents mean ± SEM (n-10/group, vs OVA alone^*＝p＜0.05)。

Figure 7 is a graph depicting the levels of TNF cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from Ovalbumin (OVA) -sensitized mice. Each bar represents mean ± SEM (n ═ 10, MRS broth treatment versus OVA challenge, MRS broth treatmentControl group of (2)^*p＜0.05)。

Figures 8A and B illustrate the effect of oral treatment with probiotic strain AH1206 on the production of tnf (a) and IFN γ (B) cytokines from activated splenocytes isolated from OVA-sensitized mice (CD3/C28 stimulated splenocytes). Each bar represents mean ± SEM (n ═ 10, relative to OVA challenged, MRS broth treated control group^*p＝＜0.05)。

Figure 9 illustrates that the levels of OVA-specific IgE in serum isolated from mice fed AH1206 probiotic were significantly lower than in controls fed non-probiotic: (^**p＝＜0.01)。

Figure 10 illustrates the effect of oral treatment with probiotic strain AH1206 on TNF α production from activated splenocytes isolated from OVA-sensitized mice (CD3/C28 stimulated splenocytes). The mean of each group (MRS broth treated control group versus OVA and CT challenge) is shown^*p＝＜0.05，^**p＝＜0.01)。

Figure 11 shows CD4 from animals fed AH1206⁺CD25⁺The cells substantially reduced proliferation (all groups n 10 except the control group).

FIGS. 12A and B illustrate CD4⁺The same group is CD25⁺The percentage of cells of (a), which was evaluated by flow cytometry (non-fed group, n-11; placebo group, n-20; AH1206 fed group, n-10).

FIG. 13 shows CD4/CD25 expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 in germ free mice fed AH1206⁺The percentage of cells was significantly up-regulated (n-8 or 9 in each group). Relative to placebo^*p＜0.05。

Figure 14 illustrates the stability of probiotic strain AH1206 over 3 months.

Detailed Description

The present inventors have found that bifidobacterium longum strain AH1206 is not only acid and bile tolerant and can be transported in the gastrointestinal tract, but also surprisingly has an immunomodulatory effect by modulating cytokine levels or by antagonizing and excluding pro-inflammatory or immunomodulatory microorganisms from the gastrointestinal tract. Indeed, ingestion of bifidobacterium longum strain AH1206 significantly reduced recruitment of disease-causing cells to the lungs of the murine asthma model.

The general use of probiotics is in the form of viable cells. However it may also extend to inactive cells, for example killed cultures or compositions containing beneficial factors expressed by probiotics. This may include heat killed microorganisms or microorganisms killed by exposure to altered pH or applied pressure. Considering that the preparation of non-viable cell products is simpler, such cells can be easily incorporated into pharmaceutical products and storage requirements are much more relaxed than for viable cells. Lactobacillus casei (Lactobacillus casei) YIT 9018 provides one example of an effective use of heat to kill cells as a method of treating and/or preventing tumor growth, see U.S. patent No. 4347240.

It is not clear whether the intact bacteria are required for the implementation of the immunomodulating effect or whether the individual active ingredients of the invention can be used individually. Proinflammatory components have been identified for certain bacterial strains. The pro-inflammatory action of gram-negative bacteria is mediated by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS alone induces a pro-inflammatory network, in part because LPS can bind to the CD14 receptor on monocytes. The components of the probiotic are generally considered to possess immunomodulatory activity due to the action of whole cells. Pharmaceutical grade manipulations cannot be expected until these components are separated.

IL-10 is produced by T cells, B cells, monocytes and macrophages. This cytokine can enhance proliferation and differentiation of B cells into antibody-secreting cells. IL-10 has the most prominent anti-inflammatory activity. It can up-regulate the expression of IL-1RA by monocytes and inhibit the inflammatory activity of most monocytes. IL-10 is capable of inhibiting cytokine production by monocytes, reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates, inhibiting MHC class II expression, killing parasites, and producing IL-10(7) by a feedback mechanism. This cytokine has also been shown to block the production of intestinal collagenase and collagenase IV by monocytes by interfering with the PGE2-cAMP dependent metabolic pathway, and thus can serve as an important regulator of connective tissue destruction seen in chronic inflammatory diseases.

The host's response to infection can be described as innate and acquired cellular and humoral immune responses, aimed at limiting the spread of offensive organisms and reestablishing homeostasis of organs. However, to limit the aggressiveness of secondary injury to host tissues, a series of regulatory limitations may be activated. One such mechanism is achieved by regulatory T cells (Tregs). These cells may be from the thymus but may also be induced in peripheral organs, including in the mucosa of the digestive tract. Deliberate administration of Treg cells can suppress inflammatory diseases in a wide range of mouse models, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, inflammatory bowel disease, bacterially-induced colitis, collagen-induced arthritis, type I diabetes, airway eosinophilic inflammation, graft-host disease and organ transplantation. The forkhead transcription factor Foxp3 (forkhead box P3) is selectively expressed in Treg cells, is essential for Treg development and function, and is sufficient to induce Treg phenotype in conventional CD4 cells (19). Mutations in Foxp3 can cause severe multi-organ autoimmunity in humans and mice. The inventors describe strains of bifidobacterium capable of producing CD25 positive/Foxp 3 positive T regulatory cells in vivo.

The present invention can be more clearly understood from the following examples.

Example 1: bacteria isolated from infant feces were characterized. And (4) demonstration of probiotic characters.

Isolation of probiotics

Fresh faeces were obtained from breast-fed 2 day old male infants and serially diluted and inoculated in TPY (casein trypsin hydrolysate, peptone and yeast extract) and MRS (deMann, Rogosa and sharp) medium supplemented with 0.05% cysteine and mupirocin. Using CO₂Generation kit (Anaerocult A, Merck)The plates were incubated in anaerobic jars (BBL, Oxoid) at 37 ℃ for 2-5 days. Gram-positive, catalase-negative rod-shaped or bifurcated/polymorphic bacterial isolates were streaked on complex non-selective media (MRS and TPY). Unless otherwise stated, isolates were routinely cultured in MRS or TPY media under anaerobic conditions at 37 ℃. Putative bifidobacteria were stored in 40% glycerol and stored at-20 ℃ and-80 ℃.

After isolation of the pure bifidobacterium strain, designated as AH1206, its microbiological characteristics were evaluated and summarized in table 1 below. AH1206 is a gram-positive, catalase-negative polymorphic bacterium, which is fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase positive, confirming that it is a bifidobacterium. Using minimal medium with a single carbon source added, AH1206 was able to grow on all carbon sources tested (glucose, lactose, ribose, arabinose, galactose, raffinose, fructose, malt extract, mannose, maltose, sucrose).

TABLE 1

^*Refers to the fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase analysis

Variety identification

Sequence determination of the 16s intergenic spacer (IGS) was performed to identify the isolated bifidobacteria. Briefly, DNA was extracted from AH1206 using 100. mu.l of extract and 25. mu.l of tissue preparation (Sigma, XNAT2 kit). The samples were incubated at 95 ℃ for 5 minutes and then 100. mu.l of neutralising solution (XNAT2 kit) was added. Genomic DNA solutions were quantified using a Nanodrop spectrophotometer and stored at 4 ℃. Using IGS L based on SEQ ID NO. 1: 5'-GCTGGATCACCTCCTTTC-3' (SEQ ID NO.3), and IGS R based on SEQ ID NO. 2: 5'-CTGGTGCCAAGGCATCCA-3' (SEQ ID NO.4) was subjected to PCR. Cycling conditions were 94 ℃ for 3 minutes (1 cycle), 94 ℃ for 30 seconds, 53 ℃ for 30 seconds, 72 ℃ for 30 seconds (28 cycles). The PCR reaction contained 4. mu.l (50ng) of DNA, a PCR mix (XNAT2 kit), 0.4. mu.M IGS L and R primers (MWGBiotech, Germany). The PCR reaction was performed on an Eppendorf thermocycler. The PCR product (10. mu.l) was electrophoresed in 2% EtBr-stained agarose gel together with a molecular weight marker (100bp gradient marker, Roche) to determine the IGS profile. PCR products (single band) of bifidobacterium were purified using PromegaWizard PCR purification kit. The purified PCR products were sequenced using primer sequences for the intergenic spacer regions (as described above). The sequence data was then searched in the NCBI nucleotide database to determine the strain based on nucleotide homology. The resulting DNA sequence data was submitted to the NCBI Standard nucleotide-nucleotide homology BLAST search Engine (http:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST /). The closest match to the sequence was identified and the sequences were then compared and aligned using DNASTAR MegAlign software. The resulting sequence is seen in the sequence listing, where SEQ ID NO.1 is the IGS forward sequence and SEQ ID NO.2 is the IGS reverse sequence. Searching the NCIMB database may find that AH1206 has a unique IGS sequence with the closest sequence homology to bifidobacterium longum.

To develop a barcode PCR map of AH1206, PCR was performed using BOX primers (8). Cycling conditions were 94 ℃ for 7 minutes (1 cycle), 94 ℃ for 1 minute, 65 ℃ for 8 minutes (30 cycles), and 65 ℃ for 16 minutes. The PCR reaction contained 50ng of DNA, a PCR mix (XNAT2 kit), 0.3. mu.M BOXA1R primer (5'-CTACGGCAAGGCGACGCTGACG-3') (SEQ ID NO.5) (MWG Biotech, Germany). The PCR reaction was performed on an Eppendorf thermocycler. Using DNA 7500PCR product (1. mu.l) and molecular weight marker (7500bp ladder) were analyzed on an Agilent2100 bioanalyzer (Agilent, Germany)Degree mark, Agilent, germany) were operated together. The barcode pattern (PCR product pattern,) was determined using Agilent bioanalyzer software, and the number of peaks (PCR products) and size were determined (fig. 1).

Antibiotic sensitivity profiles

The antibiotic sensitivity profile of the bifidobacterium longum was determined using a "paper sensitivity" assay. Cultures (100. mu.l) grown in the appropriate broth medium for 24-48 hours were poured onto agar medium and paper discs containing known concentrations of antibiotics were placed on the agar. The strains were tested for antibiotic susceptibility after incubation at 37 ℃ for 1-2 days under anaerobic conditions. The strain is considered to be sensitive if a zone of inhibition of 1mm or greater is visible. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each antibiotic was evaluated independently. The MICs for clindamycin, vancomycin and metronidazole were 0.32, 0.75 and 0.38, respectively.

Intestinal metastasis

To determine whether bifidobacterium longum could survive under conditions corresponding to the low pH found in the stomach, bacterial cells were harvested from fresh overnight cultures, washed 2 times with phosphate buffer (pH6.5) and resuspended (using 1M HCl) in TPY broth adjusted to pH 2.5. Cells were incubated at 37 ℃ and survival was determined using plate counting at 5, 30, 60 and 120 minutes. AH1206 survived well within 5 minutes at pH2.5, but viable cells were not recovered after 30 minutes.

After exiting the stomach, the putative probiotic will be exposed to bile salts in the small intestine. To determine the viability of bifidobacterium longum exposed to bile conditions, cultures were streaked onto TPY agar plates supplemented with 0.3% (w/v), 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, 7.5% or 10% pig bile. Growth of bifidobacterium longum AH1206 was observed on plates containing up to 1% bile.

In a murine model, the metastatic capacity of bifidobacterium longum AH1206 in the gastrointestinal tract was evaluated. For daily intake of 1 × 10⁹AH1206 mice and fecal pelletsThe presence of feeding microorganisms was tested. Detection of AH1206 was aided by isolation of spontaneously forming rifampicin resistant variants of the bifidobacteria-rifampicin was added to the TPY plates used to evaluate transfer, ensuring that only the fed rifampicin resistant bifidobacteria were cultured. Fecal samples were collected daily and confirmed that bifidobacterium longum was able to translocate through the gastrointestinal tract (fig. 2).

Antimicrobial activity

The indicative pathogenic microorganisms used in this study were amplified in the following medium under the following growth conditions: salmonella typhimurium (aerobic at 37 ℃) in tryptone soy broth/agar medium supplemented with 0.6% yeast juice (TSAYE, Oxoid), Campylobacter jejuni (Campylobacter jejuni) (37 ℃, anaerobic) and Escherichia coli O157: h7(37 ℃, anaerobic) in blood agar medium, Clostridium difficile (37 ℃, anaerobic) in reinforced Clostridium medium (RCM, Oxiod). All strains were inoculated in fresh growth medium and grown overnight before the experiments used.

Antimicrobial activity was measured using the delayed method (9). Briefly, Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 was incubated for 36-48 hours. The 10-fold serial dilutions were plated (100. mu.l) on TPY agar medium. After overnight incubation, plates with completely separated colonies were overlaid with indicator bacteria (indicator bacteria). Indicator lawn (indicator lawn) was prepared by pouring a melt cover containing 2% (v/v) overnight indicator culture onto the surface of the inoculated TPY plate. The plates were incubated again overnight under conditions appropriate to indicate bacterial growth. An indicator culture with a zone radius of inhibition greater than 1mm may be considered sensitive to the detected bacteria. Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 was able to inhibit the growth of all pathogenic organisms tested, the hyaline circle determined to be resistant to salmonella typhimurium, campylobacter jejuni, escherichia coli O157: h7 and Clostridium difficile were 14, > 80, 13.33 and 17mm, respectively.

Example 2: cytokine production by PBMC response to Bifidobacterium longum

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy donors by density gradient centrifugation. PBMCs were stimulated with probiotic strains for 72 hours at 37 ℃. At this point, culture supernatants were collected, centrifuged, aliquoted and stored at-70 ℃ until the level of IL-10 was analyzed using a flow microbead array (BD BioSciences). AH1206 induced significant secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by human PBMC (fig. 3), suggesting that this strain could be used as an anti-inflammatory agent in vivo.

Example 3: bifidobacterium longum AH1206 can alleviate respiratory tract disease in murine asthma models

Balb/c Ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized mouse model of allergic airway inflammation was used in this study. Mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA and disease was induced by intranasal challenge with OVA. BAL procedure was performed after determination of airway reactivity of mice 24 hours after the last challenge (day 15). OVA/alum sensitized, saline challenged mice were used as controls. Animals received bifidobacterium longum AH1206 via a gavage needle starting on day 1 (i.e. time to OVA sensitization 1) for 14 consecutive days.

Animals gavaged with MRS broth were used as controls.

Airway inflammation was assessed by inflammatory cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Cells were removed from BAL fluid by centrifugation and resuspended in phosphate buffer (1 ml). BAL cells were stained with trypan blue and viable cells were counted using a hemocytometer. BAL cell smears were prepared with Cytospin (ThermoShandon, pittsbergh, PA) and stained with HEMA 3 reagent (biochemicals, Swedesboro, NJ) for differentiated cell counts, totaling 200 cells per lavage. Ingestion of bifidobacterium longum AH1206 significantly reduced the total BAL count relative to placebo, a difference which was mainly seen in the eosinophil population (fig. 4).

This study was repeated to further investigate whether the probiotic strain bifidobacterium longum AH1206 inhibited allergic reactions in OVA-sensitized mouse models of allergic airway inflammation. Briefly, adult male Balb/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA on days 0 and 6. Mice were challenged intranasally with OVA on days 12 and 14. BAL procedure was performed after determination of airway reactivity of mice 24 hours after the last challenge (day 15). OVA/alum sensitized, saline challenged mice were used as controls. Throughout the experiment, animals received both probiotic and placebo. Airway inflammation (cytokines and cell counts) was assessed by inflammatory cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Airway reactivity was also determined using a Buxco whole-body plethysmogram. Splenocytes were also isolated from OVA-sensitized mice and incubated in the presence of anti-CD 3 and anti-CD 28 antibodies, after which the cytokine levels in the supernatant were determined by flow cytometry.

Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 resulted in a significant reduction in the number of cells recovered from BAL fluid after OVA challenge when compared to broth-fed animals (figure 5). Airway reactivity was measured and challenge of sensitized mice with OVA increased AHR to methacholine when compared to saline-stimulated mice. AH1206 did not modulate this enhanced airway reactivity to methacholine as measured by changes in longer pauses (fig. 6).

There were no significant differences in the levels of IL-10, INF-gamma, IL-6 and CCL2 as measured by the cell bead array. AH1206 significantly reduced TNF- α levels compared to OVA controls (fig. 7).

Cytokine levels in splenocyte cell suspensions were quantitated by bead arrays, followed by OVA or anti-CD 3 and anti-CD 28 stimulation in vitro. No increase in IL-10 release from OVA-stimulated splenocytes was observed in AH1206 fed mice, which was associated with OVA sensitization in vivo. There were no significant differences in IL-6, TNF, and MCP-1(CCL2) levels. There was no increase in IL-10 release from CD3/CD28 splenocytes in AH1206 fed animals. However, secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF- α and TNF- γ was significantly reduced in the spleen cell culture supernatant of AH1206 fed animals (figure 8). No significant change was observed for the other cytokines measured.

Example 4: OVA feeding model

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the probiotic bifidobacterium longum AH1206 inhibits the allergenic reaction in an Ovalbumin (OVA) -induced allergic mouse model. BALB/c mice were grouped (8/group) and fed placebo, bifidobacterium longum AH1206 and distilled water for 4 weeks. Except one control mouse was orally gavaged with only 300. mu.l PBS dH₂Outside group O, all mice were orally gavaged with ovalbumin and cholera toxin in 300. mu.l PBS weekly. Blood samples were collected from each mouse via facial venipuncture 4 weeks after treatment, followed by ELISA to measure OVA-specific IgE levels. Spleen and mesenteric lymph node cells were isolated and stimulated in vitro with LPS, anti-CD 3/CD28 and immunodominant OVA peptides. Th1 and Th2 cytokines were measured by flow bead arrays.

Compared to placebo and positive control groups, significantly less OVA-specific IgE was induced in the probiotic fed group (fig. 9). There was no difference between the negative control group and the AH1206 fed group, indicating that AH1206 feeding completely inhibited the induction of OVA-specific IgE responses. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t-test.

From probiotics, placebo and dH₂Splenocytes were isolated from O-fed BALB/c mice, either unstimulated or stimulated with LPS, anti-CD 3/CD28, and an immunodominant OVA peptide, and then analyzed for production of the cytokines TNF- α, IL-2, IFN- γ, IL-4, and IL-5 by a Th1/Th2 flow bead array. Cytokine results are summarized in table 2.

Table 2: summary of cytokines

Unstimulated splenocytes

Bacterial strains	TNF-α	IL-2	IFN-γ	IL-4	IL-5
						AH1206

LPS stimulated splenocytes

anti-CD 3/CD28 stimulated spleen cells

Relative to

NC negative control (water fed, PBS stimulation)

PC ═ positive control (water fed, OVA and CT stimulation)

In unstimulated splenocytes, no change was observed relative to control animals. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma release from LPS stimulated splenocytes was significantly higher than animals fed AH1206 relative to the negative control, but these levels were consistent with those observed in OVA-sensitized and cholera toxin-administered positive controls. Stimulation with CD3/CD28 revealed a significant change in lymphocyte signaling in the probiotic fed group. Animals fed AH1206 secreted significantly less TNF-a relative to the positive control, but at higher levels than the negative control (figure 10). Animals fed AH1206 had significantly lower levels of IFN- γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 relative to the non-probiotic fed positive control.

Example 5: treg effector model

The present study investigated the effect of probiotic uptake on regulatory T cell number and activity in healthy mice. BALB/c mice (10/group) were fed bifidobacterium longum AH1206 or placebo for 3 weeks. Following probiotic/placebo intake, CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells were isolated and their inhibitory activity in vitro was determined by measuring proliferation of CFSE-labeled CD4+ responding T cells stimulated by anti-CD 3/CD28 using flow cytometry. CD4+ responsive T cells were co-incubated with CD4+ CD25+ T cells as controls. The percentage of CD4+ CD25+ cells (regulatory T cells) in mice splenocytes that were also FoxP3 positive was determined in spleens of probiotic or placebo-fed mice.

The percentage of CD4+ cells that proliferated upon co-incubation with CD4+ CD25+ cells from probiotic/placebo-fed mice was compared to the percentage of CD4+ cells that proliferated upon co-incubation with CD4+ CD 25-cells from identically treated mice. In each case, there was a decrease in T cell proliferation in cultures containing CD4+ CD25+ cells compared to cultures containing CD4 cells alone and depleted CD25+ cells (fig. 11).

The percentage of cells in the CD4+ population that were also CD25+ was determined (figure 8). Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 fed groups had significantly more CD4+ T cells (i.e., T-regulatory cells) of CD25+ than their placebo-fed counterparts. This indicates a significant increase in the percentage of T-regulatory cells in the CD4+ population by feeding AH 1206.

The number of CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ cells in the total splenocyte population of probiotic or placebo-fed mice was also determined. The number of CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells expressing FoxP3 in the spleen of probiotic-fed mice was unchanged compared to placebo or non-fed mice.

Example 6: sterile model

Sterile mice at 6 weeks of age were purchased and maintained in sterile units at the UCC bio-service center. The animals ingest the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum AH1206 for 14 days or remain sterile. Induction of T regulatory cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Following feeding, the number of CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ cells in the spleen of AH1206 fed sterile animals was significantly increased (fig. 13). The total CD3/CD4 or CD3/CD8 counts remained unchanged.

Example 7: stability results

The stability of probiotic strain AH1206 was evaluated over a period of 3 months at 30 ℃ (fig. 13).

These results indicate that lactobacillus rhamnosus GG performs poorly during the detection period, with a two log unit drop over a 3 month period, while AH1206 is fairly stable with no loss of viability over this period.

Immunomodulation

The human immune system plays an important role in the etiology and pathology of a variety of human diseases. High and low immune responses can lead to most disease states, or components thereof. A family of biological entities, called cytokines, is particularly important for the control of immune processes. Perturbation of these subtle cytokine networks is increasingly associated with a variety of diseases. These diseases include, but are not limited to, inflammatory diseases, immunodeficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer (particularly those of the gastrointestinal and immune systems), diarrheal diseases, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, pediatric diarrhea, appendicitis, autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease, diabetes, organ transplantation, bacterial infection, viral infection, fungal infection, periodontal disease, genitourinary disease, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV infection, HIV replication, HIV-associated diarrhea, surgery-associated trauma, surgery-induced metastatic disease, sepsis, weight loss, anorexia, fever control, cachexia (cachexia), wound healing, ulcers, gut barrier function, allergy, asthma, respiratory disease, circulatory disease, coronary heart disease, anemia, blood clotting system disease, digestive system disease, allergy, asthma, respiratory disease, and the like, Renal diseases, central nervous system diseases, liver diseases, ischemia, malnutrition, osteoporosis, endocrine disorders, epidermal diseases, psoriasis and acne vulgaris. The effect on cytokine production was specific for each probiotic strain tested. Thus, a particular probiotic strain may be selected for a specific cytokine dysregulation for a particular disease type. Customization of disease-specific treatment can be achieved using the AH1206 strain alone or mutants or variants thereof or selected ones of these strains.

Immunity education

The intestinal flora plays an important role in the development and proper function of the intestinal immune system. In the absence of gut flora, the gut immune system is underdeveloped, as demonstrated in sterile animal models, and certain functional parameters, such as macrophage phagocytosis and immunoglobulin production, are reduced (10). The importance of gut flora in stimulating non-nociceptive immune responses is also becoming more apparent. The increase in the incidence and severity of allergies in the western world has been associated with improvements in health care and public health and a reduction in the number and extent of infectious stimuli received by the host. This lack of immune stimulation may allow the host to react with non-pathogenic, but antigenic factors, resulting in allergy or autoimmunity. The deliberate uptake of a range of non-pathogenic immunomodulatory bacteria can provide the host with the necessary and appropriate educational stimuli to provide the appropriate development and control of immune function.

Inflammation(s)

Inflammation is a term used to describe the local accumulation of fluid, plasma proteins and leukocytes, or the ongoing immune response at the site of exposure to physical injury, infection. Control of the inflammatory response can be performed in multiple levels (11). Control factors include cytokines, hormones (e.g., hydrocortisone), prostaglandins, reactive intermediates and leukotrienes. Cytokines are low molecular weight, biologically active proteins involved in immunology and the control and generation of inflammatory responses, while also regulating development, tissue repair and hematopoiesis. Which provides a conduit for communication between leukocytes and other cell types. Most cytokines are pleiotropic and can express multiple biologically overlapping activities. It is the cytokine cascade and network that controls the inflammatory response, rather than the effect of specific cytokines on specific cell types (12). The attenuation of the inflammatory response results in a lower concentration of the appropriate activation signal, while other inflammatory mediators result in the cessation of the inflammatory response. TNF α is a key proinflammatory cytokine because it initiates a cytokine cascade and biological effects that lead to an inflammatory state. Therefore, agents capable of inhibiting TNF α are currently used to treat inflammatory diseases, for example infliximab (infliximab).

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are thought to play an important role in a number of inflammatory diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Current therapies directed at treating IBD are aimed at reducing the levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-8 and TNF α. Such therapies can also have important roles in the treatment of systemic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The strains of the invention have potential use in the treatment of a range of inflammatory diseases, particularly in combination with other anti-inflammatory therapies such as non-steroidal anti-infective drugs (NSAIDs) or infliximab.

Cytokines and cancer

The production of multifunctional cytokines across a broad spectrum of tumor types suggests that a significant inflammatory response is ongoing in patients with cancer. It is not clear what protective effects of such responses would have an adverse effect on the growth and development of tumor cells in vivo. However, these inflammatory responses can adversely affect the tumor-bearing host. Complex cytokine interactions are involved in the regulation of cytokine production and cell proliferation in both tumor and normal tissues (13, 14). Weight loss (cachexia) has long been considered to be the single most common cause of death in cancer patients, and initial malnutrition also indicates a poor prognosis. For a tumor to grow and spread, it must induce the formation of new blood vessels and break down the extracellular matrix. The inflammatory response plays an important role in the implementation of the above mechanisms and thus has a role in the debilitation of the host and the development of tumors. Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of bifidobacterium longum infantis, these bacterial strains are able to reduce the rate of malignant cell transformation. Furthermore, enterobacteria are capable of producing substances from dietary compounds with genotoxic, carcinogenic and tumor promoting activities, while enterobacteria are capable of activating carcinogens to DNA reactive agents (15). Generally, species of bifidobacteria have lower heterotypic biomass-metabolizing enzymes than other species within the digestive tract, such as bacteroides, eubacteria and clostridia. Thus, an increase in the number of bacteria of the genus bifidobacterium in the gut could also beneficially modulate the levels of these enzymes.

Vaccine/drug delivery

Most pathogenic organisms enter through mucosal surfaces. These sites can be effectively inoculated with specific infectious agents to protect against infection. To date, oral vaccine strategies have focused on the use of attenuated or purified encapsulated antigens against live pathogenic organisms (16). Probiotics engineered to be able to produce antigens from infectious agents provide a promising alternative in vivo, as these bacteria are considered safe for human consumption (GRAS status). Studies in mice have demonstrated that ingestion of probiotics expressing exogenous antigens can enhance the protective immune response. The gene encoding tetanus toxin fragment c (ttfc) can be expressed in lactobacilli and mice are immunized by the oral route. Such a system is capable of inducing antibody titers that are significantly high enough to protect mice from challenge with lethal toxins. In addition to antigen presentation, live bacterial vectors are also capable of producing biologically active compounds in vivo, such as cytokines with immunostimulatory effects. In intranasally immunized mice, lactobacilli secrete biologically active human IL-2 or IL-6 and TTFC capable of inducing serum IgG titers above 10-15 fold (17). However, with this particular bacterial strain, total IgA levels were not elevated by co-expression with these cytokines. Other bacterial strains, such as Streptococcus grignard (Streptococcus gordonii), have also been tested for their usefulness as mucosal vaccines. Recombinant S.grignard colonizes the murine oral cavity and the sheath cavity induces mucosal and systemic antibody responses to the antigens expressed by the bacteria (18). Thus, oral immunization using probiotics as carriers not only protects the host from infection, but also replaces immune stimulation normally caused by pathogens, thereby benefiting the host's immune education.

Prebiotics

The introduction of the probiotic organism is achieved by the ingestion of the micro-organism in a suitable carrier. The benefit is that it provides a medium that can promote the growth of these probiotic strains in the large intestine. The addition of one or more oligosaccharides, polysaccharides or other probiotics can promote the growth of lactic acid bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Prebiotics are any non-viable food ingredient that is specifically fermented in the colon by endogenous bacteria that are considered to be of positive value, such as bifidobacteria, lactobacilli. Types of prebiotics may include fructose, xylose, soy, galactose, glucose and mannose. The administration of a probiotic strain in combination with one or more prebiotic compounds enhances the growth of the administered probiotic in vivo, resulting in a more potent health benefit, and is known as a synergistic effect (synbiotic).

Other active ingredients

It will be appreciated that the probiotic strain may be administered prophylactically or as a method of treatment, either by itself or in combination with other probiotic and/or prebiotic substances as described above. Furthermore, the bacteria may be part of a prophylactic or therapeutic regimen using other active substances, such as those used to treat inflammation or other disorders, particularly immune-related disorders. Such combinations may be administered as a single formulation or as separate formulations at the same or different times and using the same or different routes of administration.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the specification, which may vary in detail.

Reference to the literature

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Claims (41)

1. A bifidobacterium isolate as deposited with the NCIMB under accession number 41382.

2. A bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 in the form of viable cells.

3. A bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 in the form of non-viable cells.

4. A formulation comprising the bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1.

5. The formulation of claim 4, further comprising another probiotic substance (probiotic material).

6. The formulation of any one of claims 4 or 5, further comprising a prebiotic substance (prebiotic material).

7. A formulation as claimed in claim 4 or 5 which further comprises an ingestable carrier.

8. The formulation of claim 7, wherein the ingestable carrier is a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

9. The formulation of claim 8, wherein the ingestable carrier is a capsule, tablet or powder.

10. The formulation of claim 7, wherein the ingestable carrier is a food product.

11. The formulation of claim 10, wherein the ingestable carrier is acidified milk.

12. The formulation of claim 10, wherein the ingestable carrier is yogurt.

13. The formulation of claim 10, wherein the ingestible carrier is a frozen yogurt.

14. The formulation of claim 10, wherein the ingestible carrier is a milk powder.

15. The formulation of claim 10, wherein the ingestible carrier is concentrated milk.

16. The formulation of claim 10, wherein the ingestable carrier is a cheese spread.

17. The formulation of claim 10, wherein the ingestible carrier is a flavoring.

18. The formulation of claim 10, wherein the ingestable carrier is a beverage.

19. The formulation as claimed in claim 4, which additionally contains proteins and/or peptides, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and/or trace elements.

20. The formulation of claim 19, wherein the proteins and/or peptides comprise glutamine/glutamate rich proteins and/or peptides.

21. A formulation as claimed in claim 4 wherein the Bifidobacterium strain is present at greater than 10 per gram of the formulation⁶The amount of cfu is present.

22. The formulation of claim 4, further comprising an adjuvant.

23. Food comprising a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4.

24. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of undesirable inflammatory activity.

25. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of undesirable gastrointestinal inflammatory activity.

26. The use of claim 25, wherein the undesirable gastrointestinal inflammatory activity is inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic enteritis, or post-infection colitis.

27. The use of claim 26, wherein the inflammatory bowel disease is crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

28. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of autoimmune disorders caused by undesirable inflammatory activity.

29. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diarrhoeal disease caused by undesirable inflammatory activity.

30. The use of claim 29, wherein the diarrheal disease is Clostridium difficile (Clostridium difficile) associated diarrhea, rotavirus associated diarrhea.

31. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of post-infectious diarrhoea or diarrhoeal disease caused by infectious agents.

32. The use of claim 31, wherein the diarrheal disease is caused by escherichia coli.

33. An anti-inflammatory biotherapeutic agent comprising a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of undesirable inflammatory activity.

34. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of allergy or respiratory disease.

35. The use of claim 34, wherein the respiratory disease is asthma.

36. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of allergy and/or asthma.

37. The use of claim 36, wherein the medicament is in a form suitable for inhalation.

38. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of allergic airway inflammation.

39. An anti-inflammatory biotherapeutic agent comprising a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 for use in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

40. Use of a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in combating the growth of salmonella typhimurium, campylobacter jejuni, escherichia coli and/or clostridium difficile.

41. An anti-inflammatory biotherapeutic agent comprising a bifidobacterium strain as claimed in claim 1 or a formulation as claimed in claim 4 for use in lowering IgE levels.