Muc2 Mucin and Nonmucin Microbiota Confer Distinct Innate Host Defense in Disease Susceptibility and Colonic Injury
Aralia Leon‐Coria, Manish Kumar, Matthew L. Workentine, France Moreau, Michael G. Surette, Kris Chadee
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Alterations in intestinal MUC2 mucin and microbial diversity are closely linked with important intestinal pathologies; however, their impact on each other and on intestinal pathogenesis has been vaguely characterized. Therefore, it was of interest in this study to delineate distinct and cooperative function of commensal microbiota and the Muc2 mucus barrier in maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier function. METHODS: littermates were treated with a cocktail of antibiotics that reduced indigenous bacteria, and then fecal transplanted with littermate stool and susceptibility to dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) quantified. RESULTS: littermates. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight a distinct role for Muc2 mucin in maintenance of healthy microbiota critical in shaping innate host defenses to promote intestinal homeostasis.