Actobiotics™ as a Novel Method for Cytokine Delivery: The Interleukin-10 Case

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is central in immune downregulation, but so far its use in inflammatory diseases remains cumbersome. For treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, adequate amounts of IL-10 must reach the intestinal lining. Systemic injection of a pharmacologically active doses of recombinant human (rh) IL-10 results in very low mucosal levels of protein and severe toxicity and side effects. In animal models, topical and active delivery of IL-10 by ingestion of recombinant Lactococcus lactic (L. locus) was shown to be a valuable alternative. Starting thereof we have developed a novel pharmaceutical platform. Our expertise and TopAct (TM) (topical and active) delivery technology allows use of recombinant L. lactis ActoBiotics (TM) in clinical practice. Here we discuss the development of recombinant L. locus for intestinal delivery of rhIL-10 in humans.