Light-Sensitive Lactococcus lactis for Microbe-Gut-Brain Axis Regulating via Upconversion Optogenetic Micro-Nano...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Neuroscience
• Biotechnology

Background:

• The gut-brain axis highlights the gut microbiota's influence on brain function.
• Engineered bacteria show promise as live biotherapeutic agents for homeostasis.
• The potential for engineered microbes to remotely regulate brain function in vivo remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer blue-light-responsive probiotics for targeted gut-brain axis modulation.
• To investigate the in vivo efficacy of these probiotics in regulating brain functions.

Main Methods:

• Development of blue-light-responsive engineered probiotics (Lactococcus lactis).
• Utilization of an upconversion optogenetic micro-nano system for spatiotemporal control.
• Administration of probiotics as oral live biotherapeutic agents.

Main Results:

• Successful engineering of probiotics for precise control via optogenetics.
• Demonstrated targeted delivery and production of engineered bacteria in the small intestine.
• Achieved precise manipulation of brain functions, including anxiety behavior and Parkinson's disease models, and vagal afferent activity.

Conclusions:

• Engineered probiotics, controlled by light, offer a noninvasive strategy for gut-brain axis regulation.
• This approach enables controllable communication from the gut to the host brain.
• Potential for accurate and effective health regulation using engineered microbes is established.