MUC2

Last update 08 May 2025

Basic Info

Synonyms

Intestinal mucin-2, MUC-2, MUC2

+ [3]

Introduction

Coats the epithelia of the intestines and other mucus membrane-containing organs to provide a protective, lubricating barrier against particles and infectious agents at mucosal surfaces (PubMed:17058067, PubMed:19432394, PubMed:33031746). Major constituent of the colon mucus, which is mainly formed by large polymeric networks of MUC2 secreted by goblet cells that cover the exposed surfaces of intestine (PubMed:19432394, PubMed:33031746). MUC2 networks form hydrogels that guard the underlying epithelium from pathogens and other hazardous matter entering from the outside world, while permitting nutrient absorption and gas exchange (PubMed:33031746, PubMed:36206754). Acts as a divalent copper chaperone that protects intestinal cells from copper toxicity and facilitates nutritional copper unptake into cells (PubMed:36206754). Binds both Cu(2+) and its reduced form, Cu(1+), at two juxtaposed binding sites: Cu(2+), once reduced to Cu(1+) by vitamin C (ascorbate) or other dietary antioxidants, transits to the other binding site (PubMed:36206754). MUC2-bound Cu(1+) is protected from oxidation in aerobic environments, and can be released for nutritional delivery to cells (PubMed:36206754). Mucin gels store antimicrobial molecules that participate in innate immunity (PubMed:33031746). Mucin glycoproteins also house and feed the microbiome, lubricate tissue surfaces, and may facilitate the removal of contaminants and waste products from the body (PubMed:33031746). Goblet cells synthesize two forms of MUC2 mucin that differ in branched chain O-glycosylation and the site of production in the colon: a (1) 'thick' mucus that wraps the microbiota to form fecal pellets is produced in the proximal, ascending colon (By similarity). 'Thick' mucus transits along the descending colon and is lubricated by a (2) 'thin' MUC2 mucus produced in the distal colon which adheres to the 'thick' mucus (By similarity).

100 Clinical Results associated with MUC2

100 Translational Medicine associated with MUC2

0 Patents (Medical) associated with MUC2

3,867

Literatures (Medical) associated with MUC2

31 Dec 2025·Gut Microbes

Development of a Caco-2-based intestinal mucosal model to study intestinal barrier properties and bacteria–mucus interactions

Article

Author: Vercoulen, Yvonne ; Giordano, Laura ; Kuipers, Elise S. ; Strijbis, Karin ; Mihăilă, Silvia M. ; Stapels, Daphne A. C. ; Chatterjee, Maitrayee ; IJssennagger, Noortje ; Su, Jinyi ; Wubbolts, Richard W. ; Heidari, Faranak ; Floor, Evelien

The intestinal mucosal barrier is a dynamic system that allows nutrient uptake, stimulates healthy microbe-host interactions, and prevents invasion by pathogens. The mucosa consists of epithelial cells connected by cellular junctions that regulate the passage of nutrients covered by a mucus layer that plays an important role in host-microbiome interactions. Mimicking the intestinal mucosa for in vitro assays, particularly the generation of a mucus layer, has proven to be challenging. The intestinal cell-line Caco-2 is widely used in academic and industrial laboratories due to its capacity to polarize, form an apical brush border, and reproducibly grow into confluent cell layers in different culture systems. However, under normal culture conditions, Caco-2 cultures lack a mucus layer. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that Caco-2 cultures can form a robust mucus layer when cultured under air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions on Transwell inserts with addition of vasointestinal peptide (VIP) in the basolateral compartment. We demonstrate that unique gene clusters are regulated in response to ALI and VIP single stimuli, but the ALI-VIP combination treatment resulted in a significant upregulation of multiple mucin genes and proteins, including secreted MUC2 and transmembrane mucins MUC13 and MUC17. Expression of tight junction proteins was significantly altered in the ALI-VIP condition, leading to increased permeability to small molecules. Commensal Lactiplantibacillus plantarum bacteria closely associated with the Caco-2 mucus layer and differentially colonized the surface of the ALI cultures. Pathogenic Salmonella enterica were capable of invading beyond the mucus layer and brush border. In conclusion, Caco-2 ALI-VIP cultures provide an accessible and straightforward way to culture an in vitro intestinal mucosal model with improved biomimetic features. This novel in vitro intestinal model can facilitate studies into mucus and epithelial barrier functions and in-depth molecular characterization of pathogenic and commensal microbe-mucus interactions.

31 Dec 2025·Veterinary Quarterly

Isatidis root polysaccharides ameliorates post-weaning diarrhea by promoting intestinal health and modulating the gut microbiota in piglets

Article

Author: Yin, Yulong ; Li, Chuyuan ; Zhou, Miao ; Li, Rui ; Wang, Leli ; Yan, Zenghao ; Yin, Jie ; Wang, Deqin

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary isatidis root polysaccharide (IRP) on diarrhea, immunity, and intestinal health in weanling piglets. Forty healthy piglets were randomly assigned to five groups receiving varying dosages of IRP. The findings indicated that different concentrations of IRP significantly reduced diarrhea scores (p < 0.01). Notably, the serum levels of immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G increased linearly and quadratically (p < 0.01), while immunoglobulin M also showed a linear increase (p < 0.05) in IRP-fed piglets. The secretory immunoglobulin A levels in ileal contents were significantly higher compared to control piglets (p < 0.01). Key intestinal health parameters, including villus height, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and goblet cell numbers, showed linear and quadratic increases in both the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05), while crypt depth decreased significantly (p < 0.01). Additionally, the expression of IL-10, ZO-1, occludin, and mucin2 was upregulated linearly and quadratically in IRP-fed piglets (p < 0.05). In cultured IPEC-J2 cells, ZO-1 and occludin expression levels significantly increased upon exposure to 400 μg/mL IRP (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the relative abundances of Escherichia coli, Ralstonia pickettii, and Desulfovibrio fairfieldensis decreased linearly with increasing dietary IRP concentration. In conclusion, IRP shows promise as an effective dietary supplement for mitigating diarrhea and enhancing intestinal health in early weaned piglets.

31 Dec 2025·Gut Microbes

Bifidobacterium inhibits the progression of colorectal tumorigenesis in mice through fatty acid isomerization and gut microbiota modulation

Article

Author: Zhao, Jianxin ; Ross, R Paul ; Chen, Haiqin ; Chen, Wei ; Chen, Yang ; Fang, Huiting ; Yang, Bo ; Stanton, Catherine ; Liu, Xiaoming

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the third most common cancer worldwide. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for CRC. This study aimed to screen for beneficial bacteria that have a preventive effect on CRC and to elucidate the potential mechanisms. Initially, we compared gut bacteria and bacterial metabolites of healthy volunteers and CRC patients, which demonstrated that intestinal conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), butyric acid, and Bifidobacterium in CRC patients were significantly lower than those in healthy volunteers, and these indicators were significantly negatively correlated with CRC. Next, spontaneous CRC mouse model were conducted to explore the effect of supplemental CLA-producing Bifidobacterium on CRC. Supplementation of mice with CLA-producing Bifidobacterium breve CCFM683 and B. pseudocatenulatum MY40C significantly prevented CRC. Moreover, molecular approaches demonstrated that CLA and the CLA-producing gene, bbi, were the key metabolites and genes for CCFM683 to prevent CRC. Inhibitor intervention results showed that PPAR-γ was the key receptor for preventing CRC. CCFM683 inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway, up-regulated MUC2, Claudin-1, and ZO-1, and promoted tumor cell apoptosis via the CLA-PPAR-γ axis. Additionally, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and metagenomic analysis showed that CCFM683 up-regulated Odoribacter splanchnicus through CLA production, which then prevented CRC by producing butyric acid, up-regulating TJ proteins, regulating cytokines, and regulating gut microbiota. These results will contribute to the clinical trials of Bifidobacterium and the theoretical research and development of CRC dietary products.

News (Medical) associated with MUC2

02 May 2025

·www.prnewswire.com

CDx Diagnostics to Present WATS3D Progression Data at DDW 2025

Highlights Continued Progress in Early Detection and the Progression of Esophageal Disease SUFFERN, N.Y., May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CDx Diagnostics announced today that new clinical data supporting the utility of the WATS3D test for Barrett's esophagus and dysplasia screening and surveillance has been selected for podium presentation at the 2025 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in San Diego, the premier conference for gastroenterology professionals. This podium presentation, along with additional data featured in a separate poster presentation, highlights WATS3D's vital role in early detection, progression monitoring and risk assessment of patients at risk for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. Continue Reading WATS3D has consistently shown superior detection rates compared to conventional forceps biopsy (FB), the latter of which can miss up to 50% of cases. By sampling a broader area of mucosa and analyzing more cellular material using advanced 3D imaging, WATS3D may help gastroenterologists detect Barrett's esophagus that might otherwise go undiagnosed. New DDW 2025 data reveal WATS3D's enhanced capabilities for Barrett's detection, surveillance and risk assessment. Post this Key Events at DDW 2025: Podium Presentation: "Progression Rates of Barrett's Esophagus and Dysplasia Detected by WATS3D Are Similar to Those Diagnosed by Forceps Biopsies" Poster Presentation: "MUC2 Immunostaining Predicts Neoplastic Progression as Accurately as the Presence of Goblet Cells in Columnar-Lined Esophagus: A WATS3D Study of 3,553 Patients" Nicholas J. Shaheen, MD will deliver the podium presentation, based on a collaborative study with Dr. Michael Smith, Dr. Vivek Kaul, Mendel Singer Ph.D., and Dr. Robert Odze. "The findings validate WATS3D's role in early detection," said Dr. Shaheen. "We're excited to share these results at DDW and discuss their impact on patient care." Robert D. Odze, MD noted that "These studies advance our understanding of the biological significance of WATS3D detected lesions and their risk of progression to cancer in Barrett's esophagus." The new data shared at DDW 2025 from May 3-6 offers important clinical insights into the evolving role of WATS3D in Barrett's detection, surveillance and risk assessment. For more information, visit or contact us at [email protected]. About CDx Diagnostics CDx Diagnostics' mission is to Empower Physicians with Innovative Technology to Prevent Esophageal Cancer, One Patient at a Time. The company's proprietary diagnostic platform combines advanced computer imaging, artificial intelligence, molecular biology, and 3D cytopathology to detect precancerous changes earlier and more precisely than conventional methods. This pioneering solution has analyzed over 400,000 cases, empowering providers to identify those requiring early intervention, reduce time to treatment, and improve outcomes by detecting disease that might be missed by traditional forceps biopsies. CONTACT: Logan Garrett [email protected] 423-519-9979 SOURCE CDx Diagnostics WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

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MUC2

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