The potential of Lactobacillus exopolysaccharides and glycoproteins as safe vaccine adjuvants.

Ligands of the innate immune system form an important new class of adjuvants, but the desired immunostimulation is often linked with toxicity and serious side-effects. These ligands or 'microbe-associated molecular patterns' (MAMPs) can also be found on the surface of lactobacilli with a 'generally regarded as safe' status. Various studies have demonstrated the specific effects of certain lactobacilli and their surface molecules, but the potential of MAMPs such as exopolysaccharides and glycoproteins of lactobacilli still requires further investigation. Hereto, the project is divided in three parts. First, the molecular interactions between the glycoconjugates and receptors such as Toll-like receptors and C-type lectins will be mapped. Next the in vitro immune response of these molecules in immunological important cells will be investigated. Finally, the potential of selected molecules will be validated in a mouse model.

Keywords:LACTOBACILLUS, MICROBIOLOGY

Disciplines:Microbiology, Systems biology, Immunology, Laboratory medicine