| abstract |
Amongst the fewer than 10 proteins secreted in the largest amounts by the species Lactobacillus plantarum , is one of some 30 kDa that contains an internal fragment without cleavage points for the most important intestinal proteases, which is characterized in that it contains at least 50% serine and threonine. The genetic information encoded in this fragment, called "ST peptide", has been used to produce and to purify said peptide and thus to allow different in‑vitro tests. Overall, the ST peptide appears to be promoting the process of immunological ignorance of our gastrointestinal immune system with respect to the bacteria found in our gastrointestinal tract, oral tolerance mechanisms thereby being promoted. Therefore, the ST peptide could be used in immunotherapy, particularly within the context of certain autoimmune diseases and certain inflammatory diseases. |