A probiotic pill that delivers an immune‑calming peptide for autoimmune conditions
Official title: Engineered probiotic for the treatment of autoimmune diseases
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11321519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests an engineered probiotic that makes a small peptide to calm overactive T cells in people with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | March 20, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $688,499 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173318-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321519 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with T cell–driven autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (and potentially similar conditions) who are interested in non‑injectable treatment approaches may be the target group for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease is not driven by Kv1.3‑expressing effector memory T cells, those with severe immune compromise, or those with known allergies to probiotic strains may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers engineered a safe gut bacteria (Lactobacillus reuteri) to produce a recombinant ShK‑like peptide that blocks Kv1.3 channels on inflammatory effector memory T cells. The probiotic is designed to be taken orally and to survive the digestive tract so it can secrete the active peptide in the gut. In lab studies the secreted peptide blocks Kv1.3 channels and prevents human TEM cell proliferation in vitro. The work aims to move from these preclinical results toward delivery strategies that could someday be tested in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a non‑invasive oral alternative to injectable biologics and improve treatment adherence and symptom control.
How similar studies have gone: Peptides that block Kv1.3 channels (for example, ShK analogs) have shown promise in prior clinical and preclinical work, but using engineered probiotics to deliver them is a novel strategy mainly supported by laboratory and animal studies so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beeton, Christine — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Beeton, Christine
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.