Evaluation of the Function of Probiotics, Emphasizing the Role of their Binding to the Intestinal Epithelium in the Stability and their Effects on the Immune System

Abstract Due to the importance of using cost-effective methods for therapeutic purposes, the function of probiotics as safe microorganisms and the study of their relevant functional mechanisms have recently been in the spotlight. Finding the mechanisms of attachment and stability and their beneficial effects on the immune system can be useful in identifying and increasing the therapeutic effects of probiotics. In this review, the functional mechanisms of probiotics were comprehensively investigated. Relevant articles were searched in scientific sources, documents, and databases, including PubMed, NCBI, Bactibace, OptiBac, and Bagel4. The most important functional mechanisms of probiotics and their effects on strengthening the epithelial barrier, competitive inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms, production of antimicrobials, binding and interaction with the host, and regulatory effects on the immune system were discussed. In this regard, the attachment of probiotics to the epithelium is very important because the prerequisite for their proper functioning is to establish a proper connection to the epithelium. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the binding effect of probiotics, including sortase A, a significant factor involved in the expression of sortase-dependent proteins (SDP), on their surface as mediators of intestinal epithelial cell binding. In general, by investigating the functional mechanisms of probiotics, it was concluded that the mechanism by which probiotics regulate the immune system and adhesion capacity can directly and indirectly have preventive and therapeutic effects on a wide range of diseases. However, further study of these mechanisms requires extensive research on various aspects.