# Lactococcus lactis as a New Strategy for Oral Vaccination: Current Insights and Future Perspectives

## TL;DR

Lactococcus lactis, a safe food bacterium, is being explored as a platform for developing mucosal vaccines that can trigger immune responses.

## Contribution

The paper reviews recent advances in using genetically modified Lactococcus lactis for mucosal vaccination and highlights its potential as a safe vaccine chassis.

## Key findings

- Genetically modified L. lactis can induce mucosal and systemic immune responses against various pathogens.
- Its genetic simplicity and safe profile make it a promising platform for mucosal vaccines.
- Challenges include regulatory issues and the need for standardized frameworks for manufacturing and evaluation.

## Abstract

Lactococcus lactis, a safe food-grade lactic acid bacterium, has attracted increasing attention as a live biotherapeutic platform for mucosal vaccine development. Its genetic simplicity, absence of endotoxins, and availability of well-characterized inducible systems have enabled controlled expression and delivery of heterologous antigens and therapeutic molecules. This review highlights recent advances in the use of genetically modified L. lactis for mucosal immunization, focusing on expression technologies, routes of administration, and immune mechanisms relevant to protection or tolerance. Preclinical studies demonstrate its capacity to induce both mucosal and systemic immune responses against diverse pathogens, underscoring its potential as a safe and versatile vaccine chassis. Remaining challenges include regulatory harmonization, biosafety concerns, and the need for standardized manufacturing and evaluation frameworks. Together, these developments position L. lactis as a promising candidate for next-generation mucosal vaccines and live biotherapeutic products.