Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases affect millions of people in the U.S., and among these, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are especially common. These conditions cause chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, leading to long-term health problems. While the exact cause of IBD is still unknown, researchers believe it may be related to both genetics and environmental factors, with a growing focus on the role of bacteria in the gut. Traditional treatments, such as steroids, often don’t work well for many patients, leaving them with low remission rates and the need for surgeries. This has led scientists to look for more precise and targeted treatments. Sachi Bio in collaboration with University of Colorado Anschutz scientists published their findings on developing oral Nanoligomer treatments to treat autoimmune diseases in ACS Pharmacology &Translational Science.
Recent research suggests that an imbalance in gut bacteria, or “dysbiosis,” could be a key factor in IBD. Gut bacteria produce compounds that can influence the immune system by interacting with the genes within the bacteria themselves. These genes, called biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), may hold the key to finding new treatments. In a recent study conducted by Sachi Bio, researchers screened over 90 genes from 41 different bacteria found in the gut to identify those that could play a role in IBD. Using advanced technology, they manipulated these genes and identified promising targets for treatment, leading to the development of a new cocktail of compounds, known as CK1, designed to help restore balance in the gut microbiome.
At the same time, the researchers also focused on targeting inflammation in the body itself. They identified another cocktail, NI112, which specifically blocks molecules involved in triggering inflammation, such as NF-κB and NLRP3, which are known to cause immune responses that worsen IBD. To test these treatments, scientists at University of Colorado Anschutz used mouse models of IBD to independently test effects of CK1 and NI112. They created conditions similar to human IBD in the mice by altering their gut bacteria with human donor samples and introducing IBD-inducing bacteria. Colitis, a form of inflammation, was then triggered in the mice to simulate the disease.
The results were promising: Animal studies conducted at University of Colorado Anschutz, showed that both the CK1 microbiome-targeting cocktail and the NI112 anti-inflammatory cocktail significantly reduced the severity of the disease in the mice. The treatments improved the health of the colon tissue and lowered the levels of disease-related markers in the body. The researchers tested two forms of treatment delivery—through injections and oral pills—and found that both worked well, but the pills were even more effective in reducing signs of the disease.
Overall, this study highlights the potential of using a combination of personalized gut bacteria therapies and targeted anti-inflammatory treatments to manage IBD. The next step would be to further develop and test these cocktails in humans, with the hope of offering better options for patients with difficult-to-treat forms of IBD.
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