Speaker:
Title:
Mucin Glycans are Host-Derived Immunomodulators of Neutrophils
Abstract:
Mucus is a hydrogel that coats >2000 ft2 of human epithelial surfaces. In addition to constant exposure to environmental insults, mucus also houses the microbiome, providing various sources of inflammation. However, how the immune system tolerates the abundance of immunostimulatory cues without perpetual inflammation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that glycans displayed on mucins, the main proteins in mucus, are potent host-derived immunomodulators of neutrophil activation, revealing a potential mechanism underlying mucosal homeostasis.