IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,606,610
Granted Patent B2
US 12,606,610 · App. 18/234,588 · Granted Apr 21, 2026

Compositions and methods for treatment of Netherton Syndrome with LEKTI expressing recombinant microbes

Inventors: Travis Michael Whitfill (Dallas, TX); Azim Momin Munivar (New Haven, CT)
Assignee: Azitra Inc
C07K14/8135A61K9/0014A61K35/74A61P17/00C07K14/81C07K14/811C12N15/74C12N15/746
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,606,610
App. No.
18/234,588
Granted
Apr 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, engineered microbes expressing recombinant LEKTI domains that are effective to treat or ameliorate the symptoms of Netherton Syndrome. In certain embodiments, compositions, methods, and kits are provided comprising LEKTI domain expressing microbes.

Claims (17)

1 . A composition for the treatment of a skin disease comprising:

a microbe genetically modified to express and provide one or more LEKTI protein domains onto the skin of a mammal, wherein the LEKTI protein domains are effective to penetrate one or more layers of the mammal's skin and effective to inhibit serine protease activity of at least one serine protease in or on the mammal's skin.

2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbe is adapted to live for a controlled duration on the surface of the mammal's skin to provide a continuous supply of LEKTI protein domains.

3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the LEKTI protein domains are effective to ameliorate the symptoms of Netherton Syndrome.

4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbe is genetically modified by transfection/transformation with a recombinant DNA plasmid encoding the LEKTI protein domains.

5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the LEKTI domains are operably linked to one or more recombinant protein domains that are effective to enhance secretion from the microbe and/or penetration of the mammal's skin.

6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein at least one LEKTI domain is operably linked to a SecA domain.

7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein at least one LEKTI domain is operably linked to an RMR domain.

8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein at least one LEKTI domain comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1.

9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbe is adapted to multiply on the skin of the mammal.

10 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein expression of at least one LEKTI domain is controlled by an operon and the amount of LEKTI provided to the mammal's skin is proportional to the availability of an extrinsic factor.

11 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the expression of at least one LEKTI domain is controlled by a promoter that is constitutively active.

12 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbe has been genetically modified by transfection/transformation with a recombinant DNA plasmid encoding the one or more LEKTI protein domains and one or more antibiotic resistance genes.

13 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the microbe is selected from the group consisting of Bifidobacterium, Brevibacterium, Propionibacterium, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc , or Oenococcus , and mixtures thereof.

14 . A method of treating or ameliorating the effects of a skin disease of a mammal in need thereof comprising:

providing onto a surface of the skin of the mammal a microbe genetically modified to express one or more LEKTI protein domains, wherein the LEKTI protein domains are effective to penetrate one or more layers of the mammal's skin and effective to inhibit activity of at least one serine protease in or on the mammal's skin.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the microbe is adapted to live for a controlled duration on the surface of the mammal's skin to provide a continuous supply of LEKTI protein domains.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2024
From: WHITFILL, TRAVIS MICHAEL; MUNIVAR, AZIM MOMIN
To: AZITRA INC.
Reel/Frame 067858/0546 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16010051 · Jun 15, 2018
Provisional Application 62521050 · Jun 16, 2017
Related Publication 20240218049A1 · Jul 4, 2024
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