TS-002167 — Research links increased expression of neuregulin-1 (NRG1) to neurological disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, etc.), cancers (breast, prostate, lung, gastric cancers), metabolic syndrome and multiple sclerosis. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital developed a treatment to manipulate mammalian gene expression with bacterial extracellular vesicles. This treatment based on outer membrane vesicles (OMV) modulates expression of NRG1 by using porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) tRNA and NRG1 mRNA to reduce NRG1 translation. Pg and closely related pathogens produce OMVs that contain proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and cytosolic compounds. Through metagenomic sequencing, researchers found that Pg OMVs contain tRNA that complements mammalian NRG1 mRNA. They also found that the tRNA can potentially stop the translation of NRG1. This complementation indicates a direct interaction between Pg tRNA and NRG1 mRNA which results in the reduction of NRG1.

TS-000235 — Dental caries, or tooth decay, affects 84% of adults and is caused by the demineralization of the tooth surface by bacteria (Streptococcus mutans and other Streptococcal species) residing in the oral cavity. These bacteria possess surface-associated glucosyltransferases, which convert sucrose to glucan, thus facilitating their attachment to the tooth surface and further colonization. Current treatments for the prevention of tooth decay involve flooding the oral cavity with oral health care products which harm both healthy (commensal) and pathogenic (harmful) bacteria. Investigators at Nationwide Children’s Hospital have developed a novel anti-cariogenic formulation that provides targeted elimination of cariogenic and harmful bacteria with minimal disturbance of commensals.