Decorating probiotics with a triggerable and catalytic shell for synergistically enhanced colitis biotherapy

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Probiotics show promise for ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment.
• Gastrointestinal conditions and oxidative stress limit probiotic efficacy in UC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a synergistic probiotic therapeutic for ulcerative colitis.
• To enhance probiotic delivery and activity in the inflamed colon.

Main Methods:

• Probiotics coated with metal-phenolic shells loaded with antioxidant enzymes.
• Encapsulation with a pH-triggerable enteric layer for targeted release.
• Evaluation in multiple mouse models of colitis.

Main Results:

• Enhanced gastric acid resistance and on-demand release in the inflamed colon.
• Effective scavenging of reactive oxygen species and regulation of gut microbiota.
• Normalization of immunologic balance and mitigation of colonic damage in mouse models.

Conclusions:

• The developed probiotic therapeutic effectively ameliorates colitis.
• This strategy offers a powerful approach for treating ulcerative colitis by addressing key pathological factors.