PEGylated bacteria restore intestinal mucosal barrier

The mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal tract(GIT)is crucial for the overall health of the body.Its disruption permits the infiltration of intestinal microorganisms into the underlying mucosa,resulting in infections and inflammatory conditions,such as inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),metabolic disorders,and autoimmune diseases1,2.Therefore,strategies to protect the mucosal barrier from exogenous stimuli or to facilitate its recovery have become increasingly important.Currently,immunomodulators,corticosteroids,and biological agents have been widely employed to treat IBD by alleviating inflammation and enhancing mucosal healing.Unfortunately,they can also produce serious systemic toxicity3,4;therefore,there is an urgent need for exploiting innovative strategies to fortify the intestinal mucosal barrier against the invasion of exogenous damaging factors.