Cell Surface Mucins in Gastrointestinal Mucosal Innate Immunity

上皮细胞表面粘蛋白是存在于所有粘膜上皮组织表面的一种大而复杂的蛋白质，例如在呼吸道、胃肠道、生殖道和尿路中。我们最近确定了目前已知的七个基因中的三个，这些基因产生这种类型的分子。我们认为，粘蛋白在维持潜在的感染性微生物之间的屏障方面发挥着非常重要的作用，这些微生物通常存在于上皮细胞和内脏器官中。我们还认为，这些分子会触发上皮细胞对微生物的防御反应。这项拟议的研究旨在证明这些命题，并阐明细胞表面粘蛋白潜在功能的分子机制。了解细胞表面粘蛋白的功能可能会导致开发新的药物来治疗上皮炎症，如炎症性肠道疾病和呼吸道疾病，如哮喘和囊性纤维化。

Epithelial cell surface mucins are large complex proteins found on the surface of all mucosal epithelial tissues, for example in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive and urinary tracts. We have recently identified three of the seven genes currently known to produce this type of molecule. We propose that mucins have a very important role in maintaining the barrier between potentially infectious microorganisms often present in epithelial tracts and the internal organs. We also believe that these molecules trigger epithelial cell defensive responses to the presence of microorganisms. The proposed research aims to prove these propositions and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying function of cell surface mucins. Understanding the function of cell surface mucins could lead to the development of new drugs to treat epithelial inflammation such as that seen in inflammatory bowel diseases and respiratory diseases such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.