Chronic oral administration of IL-10-secreting Lactococcus lactis to diabetes-prone rats

Abstract

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This autoimmune response arises because of poorly understood interactions between genetic and environmental factors. A strong link has been observed between diet and diabetes outcome. There is also evidence that T1D patients exhibit increased gut permeability and inflammation, characterized by a Th1 cytokine bias. This suggests that T1D may be gut-related. Oral delivery of IL-10-secreting bacteria has been shown to counteract Th1-mediated colitis in mice. To test whether a similar treatment might affect diabetes development, diabetes-prone BB (BBdp) rats were gavaged daily with 2 x109 CFU of mIL-10-secreting Lactococcus lactis pTRmIL-10. Treatment was initiated at ∼26 days and terminated at 160 days or upon diagnosis of diabetes, after which animals were sacrificed. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)