Novel anti-Helicobacter pylori agents from lactic acid bacteria

Helicobacter pylori (HP) colonizes chronically ~50% of the world’s population, causing gastric tissue inflammation and gastric ulcers or cancers. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) have probiotic effects against HP, meaning that they help alleviate symptoms. We found that 5 LAB provided by partner Lallemand Health Solutions (LHS) produce and release molecules that inhibit the growth of HP and abrogate features essential for gastric colonization by HP. The LAB secretions also decrease HP’s ability to cause inflammation in human gastric cells. We aim at characterizing the active molecules to develop them into therapeutic agents and validate the applicability of LAB as probiotics with anti-HP effects. We also aim at understanding the mechanisms of action involved by assessing which HP genes are affected by the interaction. This work will eventually benefit ~6 million new gastric ulcers or cancers patients per year worldwide and will alleviate the economic burden of health care costs associated with these diseases.

Faculty Supervisor:

Carole Creuzenet

Student:

Partner:

Lallemand Health Solutions Inc (Montreal, QC)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: