Research on The Mechanism of Adhesion and Colonization of Intestinal Probiotics

Although existing in vitro adhesion models have contributed to the research of probiotic colonization mechanisms in the intestine, the mechanisms of colonization are still not fully understood. Creative Enzymes' scientists have extensive experience in intestinal probiotic colonization researches. We offer multiple methods to track and target the colonization of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal with the aim of elucidating the mechanisms of probiotic colonization to support the demands of microbial research and development.

Introduction of Intestinal Probiotic Adhesion Colonization

The place where probiotics ultimately work is at the lower end of the digestive tract. Therefore, the ability of probiotics to fight the various digestive juices in the digestive tract to reach their destination, the intestinal wall, depends on their ability to "adhere" and "colonize". Adherence is the first step in colonization, and colonized beneficial bacteria reduce the likelihood of other harmful bacteria settling in the intestinal. At the same time, the colonization of large amounts of beneficial intestinal flora plays an important role in the formation of immunity and the establishment of intestinal barrier function, helping to protect the body against the threat of infection and allergy. The research of adhesion and colonization mechanisms of intestinal bacteria will help us to develop probiotic products that can target and colonize the intestinal tract.

Fig. 1 Various factors affect the viability of probiotics during gastrointestinal transit. (Han, 2021)

Factors Influencing Probiotic Colonization

• Adhesion capacity.
• The retention time of the strain in the intestine and its own motility.
• Interaction with intestinal flora.
• Host genetic and somatic factors.
• Tolerance of gastric acid and bile salts.
• Diet.

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The interference of various factors in the complex intestinal environment poses a great challenge for probiotics in tracing and quantification. Scientists at Creative Enzymes have developed various tracer techniques and quantitative methods to address these environmental confounders and to study them in conjunction with other histologies. The aim is to track probiotic colonization sites in the complex intestinal environment and to accurately assess the timing and quantity of colonization. In addition, we use novel nanomaterials and software analysis techniques to conduct more precise, larger-scale and more in-depth studies on the probiotic intestinal colonization mechanism.

• Plate counting method

Plate counting is a traditional method for culture counting of intestinal isolates or feces. Creative Enzymes assesses the ability of probiotics to colonize the intestine based on this method in two ways. One is to select microorganisms for isolation by different media, and the other is to selectively culture specific strains by adding antibiotics to the media. We introduced probiotics into germ-free mice in combination with a mouse model, and their ability to colonize the intestinal tract was calculated and evaluated by plate counting.

• Fluorescent labeling method

Creative Enzymes uses fluorescent substances to label strains or to express fluorescent substances in the host by introducing fluorescent genes into the genes of the strain. We monitored the colonization sites and multiplication rate of the strains in the intestine by fluorescent labeling and analyzed them by flow cytometry, fluorescence imager or fluorescence microscopy.

• Polymerase chain reaction

PCR and real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR (qPCR) can be used to quantify the strains and are characterized by short time consumption and high accuracy of results. Scientists at Creative Enzymes perform primer design based on specific DNA fragments present in the strains to accurately characterize and quantify them at the strain level.

• Novel nanomaterials

In the laboratory of Creative Enzymes, nanomaterials are innovatively used for the tracing of probiotics in live animals. The main materials we use include long afterglow nanomaterials and upconversion nanomaterials. Therefore, in combination with these novel materials, the ability of probiotics to colonize can be tracked and assessed by in vivo imaging.

Creative Enzymes is a professional and experienced probiotic supplier and service provider. Our advanced technologies ensure that we can accurately target and research the colonization of probiotics in the intestinal tract. To get more information, please contact us and we will be happy to serve your research demands.

Reference

1. Han, S.; et al. Probiotic gastrointestinal transit and colonization after oral administration: A long journey. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2021, 11: 609722.