The gut microbiome modulates immunity through metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), but their clinical use is limited by poor pharmacokinetics. We are developing engineered hybrid nano-prodrugs enabling targeted delivery of microbial metabolites. These versatile platforms allow precise study of the gut-organ axis and exhibit potent therapeutic efficacy in animal models of autoimmune and allergic diseases through immune modulation.
Learning Objectives:
Define the critical roles of microbial metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in immune modulation and host-microbiome interactions.
Discuss the challenges in delivering microbial metabolites therapeutically, including pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and patient compliance.
Explain the principles behind engineered polymeric nano-prodrug platforms designed for targeted and sustained metabolite delivery.
Discuss the remaining challenges with microbial metabolites-based therapeutics, and future directions in the field
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