biostudies-literatureUnknown13Ferris MMDisruption of the intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier is a key pathogenic factor in numerous gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, and enteric infections. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in regulating epithelial integrity, and emerging evidence highlights the therapeutic potential of probiotics in preserving or restoring TJ barrier function. This review summarizes the current literature on the protective effects of probiotics in modulating intestinal epithelial TJ barrier function. Specific strains of <i>Lactobacillus</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i> Nissle 1917, <i>Bacillus subtilis,</i> and <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i> have been shown to enhance barrier integrFrontiers in cell and developmental biology1671152https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12702976biostudies-literatureProbiotics and the intestinal tight junction barrier function.PMC12702976Subitoni Antonio LAl-Sadi RFerris MMfalseProbiotics and the intestinal tight junction barrier function.Disruption of the intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier is a key pathogenic factor in numerous gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, and enteric infections. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in regulating epithelial integrity, and emerging evidence highlights the therapeutic potential of probiotics in preserving or restoring TJ barrier function. This review summarizes the current literature on the protective effects of probiotics in modulating intestinal epithelial TJ barrier function. Specific strains of <i>Lactobacillus</i>, <i>Bifidobacterium</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i> Nissle 1917, <i>Bacillus subtilis,</i> and <i>Saccharomyces boulardii</i> have been shown to enhance barrier integr2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-06-06T04:20:18.271Z2026-05-25T03:12:06.667ZS-EPMC127029764140370310.3389/fcell.2025.1671152