Engineered probiotic ameliorates hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis by secreting PCSK9 nanobodies and regulating gut microbiota.

ABSTRACT: Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) play a critical role in the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Inhibitors or monoclonal antibody drugs targeting pro-protein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) are novel cholesterol-lowering medications that can effectively reduce serum LDL-C levels. However, these drugs are usually expensive and require injections, which can reduce patient compliance and increase the financial burden. In this study, we constructed an engineered probiotic strain containing a prokaryotic expression element and a high-affinity fragment of the human PCSK9 nanobody (PCSK9nb). The engineered bacterium was evaluated in vitro and in vivo for its ability to express and release PCSK9nb, as well as for its biocompatibility and

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12617544 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature