Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis
Abstract Intestinal mucus plays a crucial role in defending against enteric infections by protecting the vulnerable intestinal epithelial cells both physically and through its various constituents. Despite this, numerous gastroenteritis-causing viruses, such as rotavirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Gut Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-025-00684-6 |
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| _version_ | 1849723988217954304 |
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| author | Waqar Saleem Ateeqa Aslam Mehlayl Tariq Hans Nauwynck |
| author_facet | Waqar Saleem Ateeqa Aslam Mehlayl Tariq Hans Nauwynck |
| author_sort | Waqar Saleem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Intestinal mucus plays a crucial role in defending against enteric infections by protecting the vulnerable intestinal epithelial cells both physically and through its various constituents. Despite this, numerous gastroenteritis-causing viruses, such as rotavirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, astrovirus, calicivirus, and enterovirus, continue to pose significant threats to humans and animals. While several studies have examined the interactions between these viruses and intestinal mucus, significant gaps remain in understanding the full protective potential of intestinal mucus against these pathogens. This review aims to elucidate the protective role of intestinal mucus in viral gastroenteritis. It begins with a comprehensive literature overview of (i) intestinal mucus, (ii) enteric viruses of medical and veterinary importance, and (iii) the known interactions between various enteric viruses and intestinal mucus. Following this, a case study is presented to highlight the age-dependent blocking effect of porcine intestinal mucus against transmissible gastroenteritis virus, a porcine coronavirus. Finally, the review discusses future investigation directions to further explore the potential of intestinal mucus as a defense mechanism against viral gastroenteritis to stimulate further research in this dynamic and critical area. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0aedff98a0eb46788ae99bb3941bf76f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1757-4749 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gut Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-0aedff98a0eb46788ae99bb3941bf76f2025-08-20T03:10:52ZengBMCGut Pathogens1757-47492025-02-0117111810.1186/s13099-025-00684-6Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritisWaqar Saleem0Ateeqa Aslam1Mehlayl Tariq2Hans Nauwynck3Laboratory of Virology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLaboratory of Virology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineLaboratory of Biomedical Chemistry, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental TherapyLaboratory of Virology, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineAbstract Intestinal mucus plays a crucial role in defending against enteric infections by protecting the vulnerable intestinal epithelial cells both physically and through its various constituents. Despite this, numerous gastroenteritis-causing viruses, such as rotavirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, astrovirus, calicivirus, and enterovirus, continue to pose significant threats to humans and animals. While several studies have examined the interactions between these viruses and intestinal mucus, significant gaps remain in understanding the full protective potential of intestinal mucus against these pathogens. This review aims to elucidate the protective role of intestinal mucus in viral gastroenteritis. It begins with a comprehensive literature overview of (i) intestinal mucus, (ii) enteric viruses of medical and veterinary importance, and (iii) the known interactions between various enteric viruses and intestinal mucus. Following this, a case study is presented to highlight the age-dependent blocking effect of porcine intestinal mucus against transmissible gastroenteritis virus, a porcine coronavirus. Finally, the review discusses future investigation directions to further explore the potential of intestinal mucus as a defense mechanism against viral gastroenteritis to stimulate further research in this dynamic and critical area.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-025-00684-6Intestinal mucusViral gastroenteritisVirus-mucus interactionMucosal immunologyVirus-blocking |
| spellingShingle | Waqar Saleem Ateeqa Aslam Mehlayl Tariq Hans Nauwynck Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis Gut Pathogens Intestinal mucus Viral gastroenteritis Virus-mucus interaction Mucosal immunology Virus-blocking |
| title | Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis |
| title_full | Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis |
| title_fullStr | Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis |
| title_short | Intestinal mucus: the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis |
| title_sort | intestinal mucus the unsung hero in the battle against viral gastroenteritis |
| topic | Intestinal mucus Viral gastroenteritis Virus-mucus interaction Mucosal immunology Virus-blocking |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-025-00684-6 |
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