Colonic MUC2 mucin regulates the expression and antimicrobial activity of β-defensin 2

• DOI: 10.1038/mi.2015.27
• Publication Date: 2015-04-29T12:25:56Z
• Authors: E R Cobo; V Kissoon-Singh; F Moreau; K Chadee
• Keywords: Mucin 2; Proinflammatory cytokine; Beta defensin

In this study we identified mechanisms at the colonic mucosa by which MUC2 mucin regulated production of β-defensin in a proinflammatory milieu but functionally protected susceptible bacteria from its antimicrobial effects. The regulator role on 2 combination with cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was confirmed using purified human and goblet cells short hairpin RNA (shRNA) silenced for MUC2. vivo, Muc2−/− mice showed impaired mRNA expression peptide localization colon as compared Muc2+/− Muc2+/+ littermates. Importantly, abrogated activity against nonpathogenic enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. Sodium metaperiodate oxidation removed capacity to stimulate MUC2's inhibition defensin activity. This highlights that defective barrier, typical inflammatory bowel diseases, may lead deficient stimulation an unbalanced microbiota favor growth β-defensin-resistant microbes such Clostridium difficile.