BEER-SHEVA, Israel,
April 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- Researchers at Ben-Gurion University
of the Negev (BGU) have identified novel drug
candidates based on molecules isolated from probiotic yogurt for
combating pathogenic bacteria and for treating various inflammatory
conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and COVID-19
related cytokine storms. The research, led by Ms. Orit Malka, a PhD student in the laboratory of
Prof. Raz Jelinek, the Vice
President and Dean for Research & Development at BGU, was
published in Microbiome, a leading peer-reviewed
publication.
A startup company has recently been established for the further
development and commercialization of the technology by BGN
Technologies, the technology transfer company of BGU,
and co-founders, Prof. Jelinek and Ms. Malka.
Probiotics are widely perceived as helping immune functions,
affecting balanced microbial populations in the digestive system
and potentially protecting the body against bacterial infections.
Kefir, a type of yogurt, is a fermented probiotic dairy drink made
by inoculating milk with microorganism mixtures, particularly yeast
and bacteria. Malka and Jelinek succeeded in isolating molecules
secreted by a predominant yeast in the kefir and showed that the
molecules have significant potential to combat pathogenic bacteria.
In particular, the BGU researchers demonstrated that the
kefir-secreted molecules were able to significantly reduce
virulence of Vibrio cholerae – the causative agent of
cholera. The anti-bacterial effect was based on disrupting
communication among the bacterial cells and interfering in the
assembly of bacterial aggregates called biofilms, which play
significant roles in V. cholerae virulence and
disease progression. Importantly, achieving anti-bacterial activity
through blocking cell communication is a promising strategy against
antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
In a follow-up study, the scientists observed that the isolated
molecules had dramatic anti-inflammatory properties in various
pathological conditions and disease models. For example,
experimental results revealed that the molecules effectively healed
mice inflicted with a lethal "cytokine storm" – the extreme immune
response which is one of the main causes of death in COVID-19
patients. The molecules not only eliminated the cytokine storm, but
also restored balance to the immune system, an extraordinary feat
pointing to significant therapeutic potential.
"These results are notable, since this is the first
demonstration that virulence of human pathogenic bacteria can be
mitigated by molecules secreted in probiotic milk products, such as
yogurt or kefir," said Prof. Jelinek. "In fact, our research
illuminates for the first time a mechanism by which milk fermented
probiotics can protect against pathogenic infections and aid the
immune system. Following promising results in animal models, we
look forward to administering these drug candidates to humans, for
example to patients who are experiencing a cytokine storm due to
COVID-19 infection, or people suffering from acute inflammatory
bowel pathologies, such as Crohn's disease."
"In a reality where antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming
an imminent threat, the novel molecules discovered by BGU
scientists pave a completely new path for fighting bacterial
infections by disrupting cell-cell communications in pathogenic
bacteria. Moreover, the dramatic anti-inflammatory activities of
the molecules may open new avenues for therapeutics and
scientifically proven probiotic food products," said Josh Peleg, CEO of BGN Technologies. "Years of
breakthrough research have now reached a validation point that led
to the establishment of a biopharma company for the further
development and clinical evaluation of this exciting new technology
that can potentially revolutionize the treatment of bacterial
infections as well as inflammatory conditions."
The research was carried out in collaboration with Profs.
Michael Meijler, Ariel Kushmaro and
Ron Apte all at Ben-Gurion University.
About BGN Technologies
BGN Technologies is the technology transfer company of
Ben-Gurion University, the third
largest university in Israel. BGN
Technologies brings technological innovations from the lab to the
market and fosters research collaborations and entrepreneurship
among researchers and students. To date,
BGN Technologies has established over 100 startup
companies in the fields of biotech, hi-tech, and cleantech,
and has initiated leading technology hubs, incubators, and
accelerators. Over the past decade, BGN
Technologies has focused on creating long-term partnerships with
multinational corporations such as Deutsche Telekom, Dell-EMC,
PayPal, and Lockheed Martin, securing value and growth for
Ben-Gurion University as well as the
Negev region. For more information, visit the BGN Technologies
website.
Media Contacts:
Tsipi Haitovsky, Global Media Liaison, BGN Technologies
+972-52-598-9892 | tsipihai5@gmail.com
Ehud Zion Waldoks, Deputy
Spokesperson for International Media, Ben-Gurion University
+972-54-677-5564 | ezw@bgu.ac.il
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ben-gurion-university-researchers-introduce-novel-probiotic-yogurt-based-treatment-for-inflammatory-conditions-301264970.html
SOURCE BGN Technologies