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PEGylated bacteria penetrate mucus and strengthen the gut mucosal barrier

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We have developed a versatile approach for promoting the penetration of commensal bacteria into the intestinal mucosa, by coating the bacterial surface with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). PEGylation-enabled penetration facilitated the preferential localization of bacteria at the mucus layer of the intestinal mucosal barrier, thereby reinforcing this barrier.

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Fig. 1: Preparation and mucus penetration of PEGylated bacteria.

References

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This is a summary of: Chen, Y. et al. Reinforcement of the intestinal mucosal barrier via mucus-penetrating PEGylated bacteria. Nat. Biomed. Eng. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-024-01224-4 (2024).

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PEGylated bacteria penetrate mucus and strengthen the gut mucosal barrier. Nat. Biomed. Eng 8, 804–805 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-024-01231-5

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