Bacterial Polysaccharides for Inflammatory Disease
Barbara Osborne PhD (UMass) and Katherine Knight PhD (Loyola)
Microbial exopolysaccharides for prevention and treatment of inflammatory disease
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Inflammation is a healthy biological response which serves to remove harmful irritants and promote healing. However, abnormal inflammation may lead to pain, suffering, and disease, including digestive disease and autoimmune disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis). Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are polymers made up of sugars residues and are secreted by bacteria. The present invention involves administration of bacterial EPS to prevent and protect against inflammatory disease. Using animal models, the inventors have found that administration of Bacillus subtilis EPS formulations prevent intestinal inflammation. In addition, these formulations prevent development of a multiple sclerosis-like disease in mice. Thus, Bacillus subtilis EPS could be used as a therapeutic or serve as a prophylactic for inflammatory disorders, and thereby improve the quality of life for individuals with these diseases.
Dr. Barbara Osborne is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at UMass Amherst. Dr.Katherine Knight is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Loyola University Chicago.
Available for Licensing or Sponsored Research
UMA 15-051
Patent Pending
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