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Keeping bugs in check: The mucus layer as a critical component in maintaining intestinal homeostasis
Author(s) -
Faderl Martin,
Noti Mario,
Corazza Nadia,
Mueller Christoph
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1374
Subject(s) - biology , mucus , effector , immune system , homeostasis , inflammation , intestinal mucosa , microbiology and biotechnology , gastrointestinal tract , immunology , innate immune system , medicine , ecology , biochemistry
In the mammalian gastrointestinal tract the close vicinity of abundant immune effector cells and trillions of commensal microbes requires sophisticated barrier and regulatory mechanisms to maintain vital host‐microbial interactions and tissue homeostasis. During co‐evolution of the host and its intestinal microbiota a protective multilayered barrier system was established to segregate the luminal microbes from the intestinal mucosa with its potent immune effector cells, limit bacterial translocation into host tissues to prevent tissue damage, while ensuring the vital functions of the intestinal mucosa and the luminal gut microbiota. In the present review we will focus on the different layers of protection in the intestinal tract that allow the successful mutualism between the microbiota and the potent effector cells of the intestinal innate and adaptive immune system. In particular, we will review some of the recent findings on the vital functions of the mucus layer and its site‐specific adaptations to the changing quantities and complexities of the microbiota along the (gastro‐) intestinal tract. Understanding the regulatory pathways that control the establishment of the mucus layer, but also its degradation during intestinal inflammation may be critical for designing novel strategies aimed at maintaining local tissue homeostasis and supporting remission from relapsing intestinal inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(4):275–285, 2015