Intestinal mucins and epithelial cell surface glycoconjugates

Intestinal mucins and epithelial cell surface glycoconjugates constitute the primary physicochemical barrier of the gastrointestinal tract, protecting the underlying epithelium from mechanical stress, enzymatic digestion, and pathogenic invasion. This system is composed of secreted gel-forming mucins (predominantly MUC2) and transmembrane mucins (such as MUC1, MUC3, and MUC13) that form the glycocalyx on the apical surface of epithelial cells (Motta et al., 2023). These molecules are heavily glycosylated, with their glycan chains serving as attachment sites and nutrients for commensal microbiota while acting as decoys for pathogens (Paone and Cani, 2020). In diseases like ulcerative colitis, the mucus layer is often depleted or abnormally glycosylated, leading to increased permeability and inflammation (Song et al., 2023). Conversely, in many cancers, certain mucins are overexpressed or display truncated glycans, making them valuable targets for immunotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T cells (Nason et al., 2021). Pharmacological strategies include the use of mucoadhesive agents to prolong drug delivery, barrier-enhancing drugs like rebamipide, and targeted biologics for oncological applications (University of Copenhagen, 2021).

Other names

Intestinal mucus barrierGastrointestinal mucinsIntestinal glycocalyxMucinomeMucin-type O-glycans