Scientists have engineered bacteria inspired by barnacle adhesive to treat wounds from inflammatory bowel disease. The approach, tested successfully in mice, uses a 'living glue' to seal gut injuries without the risks of current methods. Experts see promise, though human trials are years away.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, arises when the immune system attacks the bowel, causing inflammation. Symptoms include diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain, weight loss, and bleeding into faeces. Standard treatments involve anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids to manage symptoms. For persistent bleeding, doctors often insert small metal clips through the anus to close wounds, but this method risks infections and can exacerbate damage.
Seeking a safer alternative, researchers led by Bolin An at the Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology in China have drawn inspiration from barnacles. These marine creatures use a sticky 'gloop' or cement proteins to attach to underwater surfaces. The team genetically modified a harmless strain of Escherichia coli bacteria to produce two key elements: a protein fragment that promotes wound healing upon detecting blood, and barnacle-derived cement proteins forming a protective 'living glue' seal.
In experiments, mice were given a toxic chemical to mimic IBD, resulting in inflammation, gut wounds, and weight loss. The animals received either non-engineered E. coli, the modified version, or a saline solution via a tube inserted through the anus. After ten days, mice treated with the engineered bacteria—still present in their guts—recovered most lost weight and showed gut tissues resembling those of healthy mice, with no side effects observed. Similar results occurred when the bacteria were delivered in pill form, hinting at potential oral administration in humans.
"It’s definitely promising and it’s a novel approach," commented Shaji Sebastian at Hull University in the UK. He noted that mouse gut healing and inflammation closely mirror human processes, but emphasized the need for human testing. The researchers plan trials in larger animals like pigs to assess bacterial retention in the gut. Sebastian estimates up to ten years before clinical use, as extensive studies must prove efficacy and superiority over existing therapies.
The findings appear in Nature Biotechnology (DOI: 10.1038/s41587-025-02970-9).
