In Vitro Reconstitution of an Intestinal Mucus Layer Shows That Cations and pH Control the Pore Structure That Regulates Its Permeability and Barrier Function

Dysfunction of the intestinal mucus barrier causes disorders such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. The function of this essential barrier may be affected by the periodically changing luminal environment. We hypothesized that the pH and ion concentration in mucus control its porosity, molecular permeability, and the penetration of microbes. To test this hypothesis, we developed a scalable method to extract porcine small intestinal mucus (PSIM). The aggregation and porosity of PSIM were determined using rheometry, spectrophotometry, and microscopy. Aggregation of PSIM at low pH increased both the elastic ( G ′) and viscous ( G ″) moduli, and it slowed the transmigration of pathogenic Salmonella . Molecular transport was dependent on ion concentration. At moderate concentrations, many microscopic aggregates (2–5 μm in diameter) impeded diffusion. At higher concentrations, PSIM formed aggregate islands, increasing both porosity and diffusion. This in vitro model could lead to a better understanding of mucus barrier functions and improve the treatment of intestinal diseases.