title: From probiotics to therapeutics: another step forward?
abstract: Preclinical studies with probiotics continue to unravel mechanisms of cytoprotection and suggest that approaches utilizing microbial products as therapeutics in acute and chronic gastrointestinal disorders could be effective. However, clinical trials using these bacteria have thus far been inconsistent. In this issue of the JCI, Yan et al. describe a novel mechanism of cytoprotection by p40, a soluble product of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, mediated via EGFR. The efficacy of p40 in three models of chemically induced colitis indicates tremendous therapeutic potential, though this finding will need to be verified in human patients.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Steele Children's Research Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA. fghishan@peds.arizona.edu
authors: Fayez K
authors: FK
authors: Ghishan
authors: Pawel R
authors: PR
authors: Kiela
references: Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Feb 1;46 Suppl 2:S96-100; discussion S144-51
references: 18181732
references: Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2010 Mar;26(2):95-101
references: 19952741
references: Nat Rev Microbiol. 2010 Mar;8(3):171-84
references: 20157338
references: PLoS Pathog. 2008 Aug 01;4(8):e1000112
references: 18670628
references: Gastroenterology. 2007 Feb;132(2):562-75
references: 17258729
references: Gastroenterology. 2011 Jan;140(1):8-14
references: 21075108
references: J Nutr. 2007 Jan;137(1 Suppl):259S-266S
references: 17182837
references: Med Sci Monit. 2004 Nov;10(11):PI126-31
references: 15507864
references: Gut. 2004 Nov;53(11):1617-23
references: 15479682
references: J Clin Invest. 2011 Jun;121(6):2242-53
references: 21606592
references: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 May 1;104(18):7617-21
references: 17456596
references: J Biol Chem. 2002 Dec 27;277(52):50959-65
references: 12393915
references: Nat Rev Microbiol. 2011 Jan;9(1):27-38
references: 21113182
references: Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2008 Apr;294(4):G1060-9
references: 18292183
references: Nature. 2007 Oct 18;449(7164):804-10
references: 17943116
references: Pharmacol Res. 2011 May;63(5):366-76
references: 21349334