Host gastrointestinal mucus and epithelial extracellular matrix (GI mucus and ECM)

The host gastrointestinal mucus and epithelial extracellular matrix (ECM) represent a complex, multi-component barrier system essential for intestinal health and homeostasis. The mucus layer, primarily composed of the gel-forming glycoprotein Mucin-2 (MUC2), acts as a physical and chemical shield against pathogens, toxins, and digestive enzymes while housing the commensal microbiota (Johansson et al., 2011, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology). Directly beneath the epithelial cells, the ECM provides a structural scaffold consisting of proteins like collagen, laminin, and fibronectin, which are critical for cell signaling, adhesion, and tissue repair (Bonnans et al., 2014, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology). In pathological states such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or gastric ulcers, this barrier is often degraded or dysfunctional, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Therapeutic interventions include mucolytics like N-acetylcysteine to manage hypersecretion, and mucosal protectants like sucralfate that bind to the ECM in ulcerated areas to promote healing (StatPearls, 2023). Additionally, targeting ECM-cell interactions via integrin inhibitors is a key strategy in treating intestinal inflammation and preventing cancer metastasis.

Other names

Gastrointestinal mucosal barrierIntestinal extracellular matrixMucus-ECM complexIntestinal barrier

Modification of mucus rheology, physical shielding of the epithelium, and modulation of cell-extracellular matrix adhesion.