Epithelial Upregulation of Toll-like Receptor 2 (TLR2) Fast-tracks Tissue Repair in ICR Mice Treated with Postbiotic Hydrogel Infused with Lactobacillus paracasei 7060

Impaired epithelial wound repair contributes to increased infection risk and delayed tissue recovery. Limitations associated with conventional topical therapies, including antimicrobial resistance, highlight the need for alternative strategies. Postbiotics, defined as bioactive microbial metabolites, have emerged as potential modulators of tissue repair and immune responses.

A postbiotic hydrogel formulated with metabolites derived from Lactobacillus paracasei 7060 was applied to full-thickness dorso-lumbar wounds in a murine model. Wound closure was assessed over a 21-day period. Histological analyses evaluated epithelialization and tissue organization, and expression of immune- and repair-associated genes was quantified by quantitative PCR.

Treatment with the postbiotic hydrogel resulted in accelerated wound closure and earlier epithelial restoration compared with both the commercial hydrogel and untreated control groups. Histological assessment demonstrated improved epidermal continuity and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in treated wounds. Gene expression analysis revealed a transient upregulation of Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) during the early phase of healing.

The observed transient activation of TLR2 suggests a regulated immune response that may support early host defense and macrophage recruitment without sustained inflammation. Genomic features of L. paracasei 7060 are consistent with the production of metabolites involved in immune modulation, tissue repair, angiogenesis, and stress response pathways.

These findings indicate that a L. paracasei 7060–derived postbiotic hydrogel supports epithelial wound repair through coordinated immune and regenerative mechanisms.