Materials and methods for improving immune responses and skin and/or mucosal barrier functions

Inventors

Berkes, Eva A. • Monsul, Nicholas T. • BOEHM, Frederick T.

Assignees

Quorum Innovations Inc

Abstract

The subject invention provides compositions and methods for treating human dermatological conditions by employing a microbiome-centered treatment approach. Preferred embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions, and the methods of using the same, comprising a strain of Lactobacillus fermentum bacterium, or bioactive extracts thereof, derived from human microbiota and capable of growing in biofilm phenotype.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention provides a microbiome-centered treatment for skin barrier dysfunction and inflammatory skin disorders using a human-derived Lactobacillus fermentum strain (Lf Qi6) having Accession No. PTA-122195, wherein the Lactobacillus fermentum Qi6 is grown as a biofilm phenotype and formulated with a carrier. The disclosure further characterizes therapeutic and cosmetic formulations that include biofilm-derived preparations and biologically active components associated with the biofilm phenotype.

The invention targets modulation of microbial communities at the skin level by providing compositions that promote commensal biofilm growth while inhibiting pathogenic biofilm growth and adhesion, and that further promote detachment of pathogenic biofilms. The disclosure links these biological activities to mechanistic effects on skin barrier proteins and innate immune peptides, including upregulation of filaggrin (RNA and protein) and increased human beta defensins.

In addition to skin barrier and innate immune peptide modulation, the disclosure reports modulation of PPARs, including PPAR-beta/delta and PPAR-gamma, by biofilm-derived bioactives. Experimental support described includes inhibition and selective commensal promotion of biofilms in vitro and testing in ex vivo human skin organotypic cultures, supporting use for inflammatory skin disorders associated with impaired skin barrier function.

Claims Coverage

The claims include 1 independent claim directed to a biofilm-grown Lactobacillus fermentum Qi6 composition with a carrier, with dependent claims refining the carrier and formulation and optionally restricting to oral administration.

The claim coverage is directed to Lactobacillus fermentum Qi6 (Accession No. PTA-122195) grown as a biofilm and combined with a carrier, with additional coverage for edible and cosmetic carriers, specified formulation types, and an option for oral administration to a human or animal.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications