The Role and Function of Mucins and Its Relationship to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Youra Kang; Hyeonjeong Park; Byung-Ho Choe; Ben Kang

doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.848344

Frontiers in Medicine (May 2022)

The Role and Function of Mucins and Its Relationship to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Youra Kang,
Hyeonjeong Park,
Byung-Ho Choe,
Ben Kang

Affiliations

Youra Kang: Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
Hyeonjeong Park: Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
Byung-Ho Choe: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea
Ben Kang: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.848344
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9

Abstract

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Mucus is present throughout the gastrointestinal tract and is essential for regulating gut microbiota homeostasis and preventing disease by protecting the gastrointestinal barrier from microorganisms, pathogens and toxins or other irritants. Mucin (MUC)-2 is a secreted protein produced by epithelial goblet cells as the main component of mucus. Defects in the gastrointestinal tract, such as inflammation and ulcers, cause damage to the mucus barrier, which can worsen mucus quality and reduce mucus production. Therefore, we would like to review the characteristics of MUC2 and its role in intestinal disorders and highlight the importance of further studies. We also investigated whether the role of MUC2 differs between children and adults, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).

Published in Frontiers in Medicine

ISSN: 2296-858X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General)
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine

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