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This probiotic treatment protects human pancreatic beta cells, reducing the need for daily injections by allowing individuals with type 1 diabetes to make their own insulin naturally. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to create antibodies that destroy the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. The inability to produce insulin results in irregular blood sugar levels, interfering with normal cellular functions. Type 1 diabetes can cause many health problems such as cardiovascular disease and kidney, eye, and nerve damage. An estimated 1.5 million Americans received a type 1 diabetes diagnosis in 2020 . Standard treatments are invasive, requiring regular insulin injections or an implanted insulin pump.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed an oral probiotic treatment that inhibits the death of pancreatic beta cells, supporting natural insulin production. This will reduce a patient’s need for insulin therapy.
Probiotic treatment for type 1 diabetes that protects insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells
Isolated microvesicles from the naturally occurring probiotic Lactobacillus species can prevent or delay pancreatic beta cell death. By preserving the pancreatic beta cell population, individuals with type 1 diabetes can produce their own insulin. This treatment has already proven successful in phase 1 clinical trials and is currently in phase 2 trials at UF Health Shands Hospital. The microvesicles are administered orally and improve immune function and slow progression of the disease in at-risk, pre-diabetic, and diabetic individuals.
These compounds stabilize and improve the survival of bacteria of the Lactobacillus family during the manufacturing and storage of probiotic supplements. The global probiotics market will reach $77 billion by 2025. L. johnsonii can provide many benefits as a probiotic dietary supplement, such as improved immune function and better diabetes treatments. Manufacturers commonly use freeze-drying processes to prolong bacterial shelf life, but these also can damage the bacteria, reducing yields, and weakening the probiotic effect. Available compounds for improving bacteria’s endurance during freeze-drying have had limited effectiveness.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered an additive to stabilize bacteria during processing that increases survival, growth rates, and yield of L. johnsonii. This stabilizing compound improves the bacteria’s endurance during manufacturing processes such as freeze-drying better than commonly used compounds such as whey protein.
Probiotic manufacturing process that increases survival rate, yield, and shelf life of L. johnsonii
Lactobacillus bacteria grown with blueberry aqueous extract or freeze-dried using blueberry aqueous extract as a cryoprotectant have better survivability during the freeze-drying process and better growth rates under aerobic conditions. The bacteria’s growth during aerobic conditions is linked to the amount of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that it produces. The phenolic compounds in the blueberry extract increase radical scavenging activity, which decreases oxidative stress, and act as signaling molecules to regulate the bacteria’s production of H2O2. This improves the growth rate and survival rate of bacteria during industrial processes, including those common in the production of probiotic supplements.
These Lactobacillus-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) activate antiviral pathways and modulate host immunity to treat avian flu. Bacterial extracellular vesicles are increasingly at the forefront of research as mediators of host-microbe interactions. EVs are ubiquitously produced in all domains of life and can have constant interactions with a host.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting both wild and domesticated birds, with certain strains capable of crossing into humans. The global avian influenza vaccines market stood at USD 1.24 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.65 billion by 2034 , reflecting the urgent demand for new, dynamic antiviral strategies. According to the World Health Organization, avian flu outbreaks pose serious threats to poultry production and public health worldwide. In recent years, there has been significant interest in probiotics and their secreted vesicles as natural immunomodulators that enhance antiviral defenses.
Researchers at the University of Florida have identified an approach using Lactobacillus-derived extracellular vesicles. These vesicles enhance the host's innate defense mechanisms by robustly activating the OAS pathway and stimulating antiviral responses in chicken-derived cell lines. This highlights their potential as a biotherapeutic approach to complement vaccines and reduce the burden of diseases caused by RNA viruses, such as avian influenza.
Harnesses probiotic vesicles to activate host antiviral pathways to treat avian flu
Lactobacillus-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising for antiviral therapy, including against avian flu. However, their practical application is hindered by limited knowledge of how EV-delivered bioactive molecules modulate host immunity and activate antiviral pathways. Researchers at the University of Florida have demonstrated that these EVs induce strong OAS pathway activation and generate antiviral responses in chicken-derived macrophages. This platform highlights the potential of EVs to reduce viral replication, enhance immune regulation, and advance therapeutic strategies for the treatment of avian influenza.
2033 MOWRY ROAD - GENETICS INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA GAINESVILLE, FL 326100001
