This technology provides pharmaceutical and food compositions for the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, utilizing live or heat-killed cells of the Propionibacterium freudenreichii MJ2 strain (KCCM12272P). It is safe for long-term oral administration and simultaneously suppresses joint inflammation, bone destruction, and autoantibody production.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease where persistent inflammation of the synovial membrane leads to cartilage and bone destruction, for which there is currently no cure. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs only alleviate pain without halting disease progression and can cause gastrointestinal issues with long-term use. Immunosuppressants like TNF-α inhibitors carry risks such as latent tuberculosis, creating a need for safer alternatives. While some Lactobacillus strains have shown potential in alleviating arthritis, available options remain limited.
This technology uses live cells obtained by culturing the MJ2 strain under anaerobic conditions at 30–37°C for 45–50 hours followed by centrifugation, or heat-killed cells. It increases the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, inhibits osteoclast differentiation, apoptosis, and the production of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies, while restoring autophagy to normal levels. Live and heat-killed cells are formulated at concentrations of 1×10⁶ to 1×10¹⁰. Applicable to oral probiotics for adjuvant therapy, functional foods for joint health, and shelf-stable postbiotic products, this strain offers a multi-pronged approach to suppressing inflammation, preventing bone damage, and reducing autoantibodies, while avoiding the infection risks associated with immunosuppressants.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the improvement of rheumatoid arthritis through Propionibacterium-mediated inhibition of osteoclast differentiation.
US2024-0374658A1, WO2022-158922A2
