Management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by probiotics biofilms

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory condition of small and large intestine. The inflammation in IBD is of autoimmune nature which is incited by several possible agents in a genetically predisposed host. Gut microbes are one of the agents known to cause IBD and their role in pathogenesis of IBD is supported by several evidences. Gut bacteria in colon are segregated in two compartments, namely luminal bacteria in feces and mucosal bacteria embedded in mucus coating of colonic mucosa in the form of biofilm. This biofilm represents a highly active ecosystem. The biofilm bacteria are in extreme proximity of host-mucosal immune system and live in symbiosis with host. Bacterial dysbiosis in biofilm could induce autoimmunity and mucosal inflammation as in IBD. Probiotics are the living microorganisms and have shown benefits in several immune-mediated conditions. Probiotics could rebalance the bacterial dysbiosis in mucosal biofilm and subside the immune dysregulation.