Progress and challenges of functionalized bacterial encapsulation: A novel biotechnology for next-generation biotherapeutics.

Ying ZHANG; Yuwei WU; Xinyu ZHAO; Qinghua YE; Lulu CAO; Ming LIU; Bao GAO; Qinya NIU; Nuo CHEN; Zixuan DUAN; Yu DING; Juan WANG; Moutong CHEN; Ying LI; Qingping WU

Return

Progress and challenges of functionalized bacterial encapsulation: A novel biotechnology for next-generation biotherapeutics.

Author: Ying ZHANG ¹ ; Yuwei WU ² ; Xinyu ZHAO ² ; Qinghua YE ¹ ; Lulu CAO ¹ ; Ming LIU ¹ ; Bao GAO ¹ ; Qinya NIU ¹ ; Nuo CHEN ¹ ; Zixuan DUAN ¹ ; Yu DING ¹ ; Juan WANG ¹ ; Moutong CHEN ¹ ; Ying LI ¹ ; Qingping WU ¹
Author Information

1. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, National Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition and Safety of Microbial Food, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China.
2. Guangdong Huankai Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Zhaoqing 526328, China.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: Covalent modification; Functionalized bacterial encapsulation; Gastrointestinal environment; Immunomodulation; Live therapeutic bacteria (LTBs); Precise release; Self-assembly; Targeted delivery
From: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5167-5191
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: The disturbance of the human microbiota influences the occurrence and progression of many diseases. Live therapeutic bacteria, with their genetic manipulability, anaerobic tendencies, and immunomodulatory properties, are emerging as promising therapeutic agents. However, their clinical applications face challenges in maintaining activity and achieving precise spatiotemporal release, particularly in the harsh gastrointestinal environment. This review highlights the innovative bacterial functionalized encapsulation strategies developed through advances in physicochemical and biological techniques. We comprehensively review how bacterial encapsulation strategies can be used to provide physical barriers and enhanced adhesion properties to live microorganisms, while introducing superior material properties to live bacteria. In addition, this review outlines how bacterial surface coating can facilitate targeted delivery and precise spatiotemporal release of live bacteria. Furthermore, it elucidates their potential applications for treating different diseases, along with critical perspectives on challenges in clinical translation. This review comprehensively analyzes the connection between functionalized bacterial encapsulation and innovative biomedical applications, providing a theoretical reference for the development of next-generation bacterial therapies.