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Updated: Aug 11, 2025
Application of a Mouse Ligated Peyer’s Patch Intestinal Loop Assay to Evaluate Bacterial Uptake by M cells
Published on: December 17, 2011
Muc2-dependent microbial colonization of the jejunal mucus layer is diet sensitive and confers local resistance to
George M H Birchenough1, Bjoern O Schroeder2, Sinan Sharba3
1Department of Medical Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular & Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract:
Intestinal mucus barriers normally prevent microbial infections but are sensitive to diet-dependent changes in the luminal environment. Here we demonstrate that mice fed a Western-style diet (WSD) suffer regiospecific failure of the mucus barrier in the small intestinal jejunum caused by diet-induced mucus aggregation. Mucus barrier disruption due to either WSD exposure or chromosomal Muc2 deletion results in collapse of the commensal jejunal microbiota, which in turn sensitizes mice to atypical jejunal colonization by the enteric pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. We illustrate the jejunal mucus layer as a microbial habitat, and link the regiospecific mucus dependency of the microbiota to distinctive properties of the jejunal niche. Together, our data demonstrate a symbiotic mucus-microbiota relationship that normally prevents jejunal pathogen colonization, but is highly sensitive to disruption by exposure to a WSD.
Insights
A Western-style diet disrupts the jejunal mucus barrier, leading to microbiota collapse and increased susceptibility to pathogen colonization. This highlights a crucial symbiotic relationship between mucus and microbiota in preventing infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Intestinal mucus barriers are crucial for preventing microbial infections.
- These barriers are sensitive to dietary changes impacting the gut environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how a Western-style diet (WSD) affects the intestinal mucus barrier.
- To understand the consequences of mucus barrier disruption on the jejunal microbiota and pathogen susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed a Western-style diet (WSD) or had a chromosomal Muc2 deletion.
- Regiospecific analysis of the mucus barrier and jejunal microbiota was performed.
- Colonization by the pathogen Citrobacter rodentium was assessed.
Main Results:
- WSD induced regiospecific mucus barrier failure in the jejunum due to mucus aggregation.
- Mucus barrier disruption led to the collapse of the commensal jejunal microbiota.
- Compromised mucus barriers sensitized mice to Citrobacter rodentium colonization.
Conclusions:
- The jejunal mucus layer serves as a critical habitat for the microbiota.
- A diet-dependent symbiotic relationship exists between the mucus barrier and microbiota.
- Disruption of this relationship, particularly by a WSD, compromises gut defense against pathogens.
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