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Updated: May 4, 2026

Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2025
Gut flora and mucosal function
1Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract:
The mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract is the route through which ingested nutrients are absorbed. It also serves to separate potentially toxic luminal contents and flora. These functions appear to be mutually incompatible, but are achieved by regional specialisations in epithelial structure and organ function. Enteric bacteria interact with enterocytes by influencing cellular electrolyte transport and tight junction permeability in the colon. The products of bacterial metabolism are essential for colonocyte nutrition.
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