Lactobacillus paracasei Expressing Porcine Trefoil Factor 3 and Epidermal Growth Factor: A Novel Approach for Superior Mucosal Repair

Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) exert a promotive effect on the functions of intestinal epithelial cells and offer protection to the intestinal mucosa. <i>Lactobacillus paracasei</i> can ameliorate intestinal mucosal damage. In this study, pPG-pTFF3/<i>27-2</i>, pPG-pEGF/<i>27-2</i>, and pPG-pTE/<i>27-2</i> were constructed to express porcine TFF3, EGF, and a fusion protein (pTE). Functional assays showed they promoted Immortalized Porcine Enterocyte Cell line J2 (IPEC-J2) proliferation and migration, with pTE having a greater migratory effect. In dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice, oral administration of pPG-pTE/<i>27-2</i> reduced colitis, improved mucosal integrity, increased the expression of tight-junction proteins and the serum level of Interleukin-10 (IL-10), and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β). These results imply that recombinant <i>L. paracasei 27-2</i> strains engineered to express pTFF3 and pEGF represent a promising approach for augmenting intestinal epithelial cell function and facilitating mucosal restitution, and they possess significant potential in the treatment of intestinal mucosal injury and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).