Colonic mucin barrier

The colonic mucin barrier refers to a specialized two-layer mucus system in the colon, essential for protecting the epithelium from luminal microbes and toxins. It consists of an inner, dense, bacteria-impermeable layer and an outer, looser layer inhabited by commensal bacteria. Both are primarily organized by the gel-forming mucin MUC2, which forms a highly glycosylated polymer secreted by goblet cells. Deficiency or dysfunction in this barrier (e.g., due to loss of MUC2) leads to direct microbial-epithelial contact, chronic inflammation, and heightened cancer risk[1][2][3][4][5]. The colonic mucin barrier is not a single molecular entity but a complex, dynamic structure vital for intestinal homeostasis.

Other names

Colon mucus layerIntestinal mucus barrierColonic mucus barrier