[Bacterial biofilms: novel strategies for intestinal colonization by probiotics]

Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao. 2022 Aug 25;38(8):2821-2839. doi: 10.13345/j.cjb.210895.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Probiotics can improve the microecological balance of the body and have special effects in promoting nutrient absorption, controlling intestinal infections, and regulating immune function. However, there are problems such as difficult colonization in the gastrointestinal environment and low oral bioavailability. Bacterial biofilms are organized bacterial cells that adhere to an abiotic or biotic surface and are enclosed in extracellular polymeric substances of exopolysaccharides (EPS), extracellular DNA (eDNA), proteins and lipids, with a three-dimensional spatial structure. Probiotics with the help of bacterial biofilms have obvious advantages over planktonic bacteria in stress resistance, combating pathogens and modulating the host's immune function, which provides a new research idea for the development of probiotics. This paper expounded on the advantages of probiotics with the help of bacterial biofilms, and focused on introducing substances that could promote the formation of probiotic biofilms and the mechanisms, and the safety of probiotic biofilms. Currently, research on probiotic biofilms is still in its infancy, and this paper is expected to provide references for future research in this field.

Keywords: bacterial biofilm; colonization; probiotic; quorum sensing; two-component system.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria
  • Biofilms*
  • Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix
  • Probiotics*