Engineered Probiotics Mitigate Gut Barrier Dysfunction Induced by Nanoplastics

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science and Health
• Microbiology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Micro- and nanoplastics, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET), compromise gut barrier integrity, increasing susceptibility to inflammation and infections.
• Existing treatments for nanoplastic-induced gut issues are limited, necessitating innovative solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a probiotic-based drug delivery system (EcN_T@L) to mitigate nanoplastic-induced gut barrier dysfunction.
• To evaluate the efficacy of EcN_T@L in protecting against and treating gastrointestinal inflammation and infections.

Main Methods:

• Genetically engineered Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) to produce transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and coated it with Eudragit L100-55 to create EcN_T@L.
• Assessed EcN_T@L's protective effects on Caco-2 cells against nano PET-induced inflammation and infections via NF-κB pathway activation.
• Evaluated in vivo therapeutic efficacy of EcN_T@L in a mouse model of gastrointestinal infection combined with nano PET and Salmonella.

Main Results:

• EcN_T@L effectively protected Caco-2 cells from nano PET-induced inflammation and infections by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.
• In vivo studies showed EcN_T@L outperformed commercial antibiotics in treating combined nano PET and Salmonella infection.
• EcN_T@L modulated immune responses and gut microbiota, demonstrating superior therapeutic effects.

Conclusions:

• Probiotic-based drug delivery systems, like EcN_T@L, show significant potential for addressing nanoplastic-induced gut dysfunctions.
• EcN_T@L offers a promising strategy to mitigate the health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on the gastrointestinal system.