 This study has identified a novel mechanism linking the gut microbacomansia mucinella and its membrane protein with host CREB, IGF signaling and microRNAs in mitigating intestinal inflammatory stress, gut barrier permeability and promoting intestinal wound healing. This novel finding may lend support to the development of therapeutic approaches for inflammatory bowel diseases by manipulating the interaction between host genes, gut bacteria and their bioactive components. This article was authored by Henry Wade, Kai Chao Pan, Chihua Duan and others.