Researchers from the University at Buffalo have developed an Escherichia coli (E. coli)-based transport capsule that can combat pneumococcal disease.
E. coli is a gammaproteobacterium that is usually found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms.
Pneumococcal disease is an infection that can cause sepsis, pneumonia, ear infections or meningitis.
According to the study published in the journal Science Advances, the majority of E. coli strains are harmless and important to healthy human digestion.
The E. coli-based transport capsule can help new vaccines work more efficiently and effectively on patients than other immunisations currently available.
University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences chemical and biological engineering associate professor and study co-lead author Blaine A. Pfeifer said: "It’s a bit counterintuitive given what you hear about E. coli, but there are many strains of the bacteria, most of which are perfectly normal in the body, that have great potential to fight disease."
As part of the study, the researchers wrapped a synthetic polymer, known as poly (beta amino ester), around the bacteria.
The positive-charged polymer looks like a chain link fence and developed a type of hybrid capsule when combined with the negative-charged bacteria cell wall.
The capsule was then tested by inserting a protein-based vaccine that designed to fight pneumococcal disease.
The hybrid design of the capsule provided passive, as well as active targeting of specific immune cells named antigen-presenting cells that trigger an immune response.
It also provided natural and multi-component adjuvant properties that enhance the body’s immune response, along with dual intracellular delivery mechanisms to obtain a particular immune response.
The test also showed that the capsule offers the simultaneous production and delivery of the components (antigens) required for a vaccine, as well as exhibit strong vaccination protection capabilities against pneumococcal disease.
Being comparatively inexpensive, the capsule can be created for use as a delivery device for therapies that target cancer, other viral-based infectious diseases and illnesses.
Image: E. coli-based transport capsule. Photo: courtesy of University at Buffalo.
