Neonatal Colonization with Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria Expressing Allergic-Chimers for Prevention of Allergic Poly-Sensitization

It is well recognized that allergic individuals are at risk to develop multiple allergies and such poly-sensitized individuals are difficult to treat by conventional therapeutic measures. We have recently established mouse models of poly-sensitization and demonstrated that allergic poly-sensitization can be suppressed by mucosal treatment with novel allergen chimers in adult mice. With respect to neonatal interventions, we previously showed that colonization with recombinant probiotic strain expressing the allergen Bet v 1 successfully prevents allergic responses. In order to investigate whether the concept of neonatal colonization with recombinant probiotic bacteria could be used for prevention of allergic multi-sensitivities, our first aim is to construct a recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum, constitutively expressing a birch (Bet v 1) and grass pollen (Phl p 1 and Phl p 5) chimer. With this respect, we have successfully cloned Lactobacillus plantarum with birch and grass pollen chimer. To test if this recombinant LABs can be used to prevent poly-sensitization the strain will be used for the neonatal colonization in (a) conventional mice and in (b) germ-free mice prior to sensitization with allergens. Apart from testing the effects of these treatments, interaction of recombinant LABs with the host immune system will be studied.