Extracellular Vesicles of Probiotics: Shedding Light on the Biological Activity and Future Applications

Abstract

For many decades, the proper functioning of the human body has become a leading scientific topic. In the course of numerous experiments, a striking impact of probiotics on the human body has been documented, including maintaining the physiological balance of endogenous microorganisms, regulating the functioning of the immune system, enhancing the digestive properties of the host, and preventing or alleviating the course of many diseases. Recent research, especially from the last decade, shows that this health-benefiting activity of probiotics is largely conditioned by the production of extracellular vesicles. Although the importance of extracellular vesicles in the virulence of many live-threatening pathogens is widely described in the literature, much less is known with respect to the health-promoting effect of extracellular vesicles secreted by non-pathogenic microorganisms, including probiotics. Based on this, in the current review article, we decided to collect the latest literature data on the health-inducing properties of extracellular vesicles secreted by probiotics. The characteristics of probiotics’ extracellular vesicles will be extended by the description of their physicochemical properties and the proteome in connection with the biological activities exhibited by these structures.

The inhibition effects of Lentilactobacillus buchneri-derived membrane vesicles on AGS and HT-29 cancer cells by inducing cell apoptosis

“…The researchers confirmed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be taken up by colon cancer cells and inhibit their growth by inducing apoptosis 69 . Extracellular vesicles produced by L. paracasei (LpEVs) have been demonstrated to reduce colorectal cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis through the PDK1/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway 70 .…”

Dietary Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG extracellular vesicles enhance antiprogrammed cell death 1 (anti-PD-1) immunotherapy efficacy against colorectal cancer

“…54 Although the EV yield of probiotics, especially Gram-positive bacteria, is lower, it can be further improved by modular production and normative modifications, which are applicable to probiotics in the food industry. 55,56 Our study investigated the effect of culture condition on LGG-EV and provided a theoretical basis for subsequent large-scale production of LGG-EV, which has potential as a nonproliferative biological agent in the health field.…”

Next-Generation Probiotics as Novel Therapeutics for Improving Human Health: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

“…Extracellular vehicles (EVs) produced by probiotics have garnered significant attention due to their potential biological activity and future applications. These vesicles serve as a means of transporting various macromolecules, including lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids, and have been associated with health-inducing properties [ 67 ]. Previous research has demonstrated that EVs play a role in modulating inflammatory responses and immune function.…”