Mucins as Inhibitors Against Bacterial Adhesion to Epithelial Cells

The mucus layer protects the epithelium and is a barrier against pathogens. Mucins, a component of the mucus, protect the epithelial surfaces from pathogens by binding and removing them. Different cell lines have been used to study the adhesion of bacteria to epithelial cells and the downstream effects of interactions between pathogens and epithelia. Here, we present a method to evaluate the ability of mucins to inhibit the binding of bacteria to epithelial cells. For this example, we used gastric mucins from a noninfected human, the bacteria Helicobacter pylori strain P12, and the gastric adenocarcinoma cell line MKN7. However, the method also works with mucins from other sources and other bacteria and cell lines. Considerations for choosing appropriate cell lines and how to adapt the protocol for fast-growing bacteria are also discussed.