Figure 1. Anti-inflammatory mechanism of prtP-encoded lactocepin. Chronic inflammatory diseases like IBD, allergy and autoimmune diseases are characterized by a vicious circle of chemokine secretion, immune cell recruitment and activity and tissue damage including barrier disruption. PrtP-encoded lactocepin produced by L. casei/L. paracasei interferes with this vicious circle by specifically degrading proinflammatory chemokines, resulting in reduced infiltration of immune cells and potentially healing. However, the location of luminal lactocepin production and the mechanisms underlying its penetration into the mucosal tissue remain to be elucidated.