Mucus barrier, mucins and gut microbiota: the expected slimy partners?

The gastrointestinal tract is often considered as a key organ involved in the digestion of food and providing nutrients to the body for proper maintenance. However, this system is composed of organs that are extremely complex. Among the different parts, the intestine is viewed as an incredible surface of contact with the environment and is colonised by hundreds of trillions of gut microbes. The role of the gut barrier has been studied for decades, but the exact mechanisms involved in the protection of the gut barrier are various and complementary. Among them, the integrity of the mucus barrier is one of the first lines of protection of the gastrointestinal tract. In the past, this 'slimy' partner was mostly…

• EC
  European Commission

  Awards: H2020, 814102
• FD
  Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS

  Awards: 30770923, EOS programme no.30770923, WELBIO-CR-2019C-02R, FRFS-WELBIO: WELBIO-CR-2019C-02R
• FB
  Fonds Baillet Latour
• WE
  Walloon excellence in life sciences and biotechnology

  Award: WELBIO-CR-2019C-02R
• H2
  Horizon 2020 Framework Programme

  Award: 814102
• HM
  H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions