Evolutionary conservation of the antimicrobial function of mucus: a first defence against infection.

摘要: Mucus layers often provide a unique and multi-functional hydrogel interface between the epithelial cells of organisms their external environment. has exceptional properties including elasticity, changeable rheology an ability to self-repair by re-annealing, is therefore ideal medium for trapping immobilising pathogens serving as barrier microbial infection. The produce functional surface mucosa was important evolutionary step, which evolved first in Cnidaria, includes corals, Ctenophora. This allowed exclusion non-commensal microbes subsequent development mucus-lined digestive cavity seen higher metazoans. fundamental architecture constituent glycoprotein mucins also evolutionarily conserved. Although understanding biochemical interactions bacteria mucus layer are goal developing new antimicrobial strategies, they remain relatively poorly understood. review summarises physicochemical importance mucus, make it so successful prevention bacterial In addition, strategies developed counteract explored.