Department of Biotechnology
inStem (Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine)

Demonstrating the immunostimulatory and cytokine-augmentation effects of bacterial ghosts on natural killer cells and Caenorhabditis Elegans.

Publication Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

March 1, 2024

Journal

Biotechnology and bioengineering

Volume/Issue

121/3

ISSN

1097-0290

The potential of bacteria-based immunotherapy lies in its ability to inherently enhance immune responses. However, the “liveness” of bacteria poses risks of bacterial escape, nonspecific immuno-stimulation, and ethical concerns, limiting their acceptability in immunotherapy. In this scenario, nonliving empty bacterial-cell envelopes, named bacterial ghosts (BGs), have emerged as immuno-stimulants with the potential to side-step the limitations of live bacterial therapies. This study demonstrates the capability of BGs in modulating the functionality of NK-92 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), as well as perform as cytokine-therapy adjuvants. BGs were obtained through a pH-driven culture method, and were validated for their structural and chemical integrity via electron microscopy and spectroscopy. In NK-92 cells, BGs have shown significant immuno-stimulation by boosting the gene-expression of perforin, granzyme-B, Fas-L, and interferon-gamma by factors of 3.5-, 1.5-, 12.5-, and 8.6-folds, respectively. Combined BG and IL-12 treatment yielded a notable 10.2-fold increase in interferon-gamma protein expression in 24 h. The BGs also significantly influenced the innate immune response in C. elegans through the upregulation of lysozyme genes viz., ilys-3 (8.8-fold) and lys-2 (3.1-fold). Our investigation into the impact of BGs on natural killer cells and C. elegans highlights its potential as a valid alternative approach for new-age immunotherapy and cytokine augmentation.

Alternate Journal

Biotechnol Bioeng

PubMed ID

38059432

PubMed Central ID

PMC7615764

Authors

Sreeja Narayanan
Adheena Panangattu Baburajan
Mumtaz Muhammad
Andrea Joseph
Praveen Kumar Vemula
Sarita Ganapathy Bhat

Keywords

Caenorhabditis elegans
Cytokines
Interferon-gamma
Killer Cells, Natural
Animals
Bacteria