Recombinant mouse calcitonin gene-related peptide secreted by Lactococcus lactis inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in macrophages

We describe the development of a genetically modified strain of lactic acid bacteria (gmLAB) capable of producing a recombinant mouse calcitonin gene-related peptide (rCGRP). This strain (NZ-CGRP) was generated by introducing a CGRP secretion plasmid into Lactococcus lactis NZ9000. Western blotting confirmed the secretion of rCGRP in the presence of the inducer nisin. Highly purified rCGRP was obtained from the culture supernatants of NZ-CGRP. We demonstrated that prophylactic exposure of a culture of mouse peritoneal macrophages to rCGRP inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The rCGRP-secreting gmLAB strain holds promise for development as a new anti-inflammatory prophylactic.