Distinct Roles of the Mucus Layer and Microbiota in Conferring Innate Host Defense and Susceptibility to Disease

The human intestine has approximately 100 trillion microorganisms, mainly bacteria that form the microbiota. These microorganisms play a key role in digestive health as well as in the development of a balanced immune system. The intestinal mucosa is covered by MUC2 mucus that acts as a protective barrier. Alteration in microbiota composition (dysbiosis) and the mucus barrier is common in several gastrointestinal pathologies. The distinct …