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The outer mucus layer hosts a distinct intestinal microbial niche

Author

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  • Hai Li

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Julien P. Limenitakis

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Tobias Fuhrer

    (Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich)

  • Markus B. Geuking

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Melissa A. Lawson

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Madeleine Wyss

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Sandrine Brugiroux

    (Max-von-Pettenkofer Institute, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF))

  • Irene Keller

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Jamie A. Macpherson

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Sandra Rupp

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Bettina Stolp

    (Theodor Kocher Institute, Freiestrasse 1, University of Bern)

  • Jens V. Stein

    (Theodor Kocher Institute, Freiestrasse 1, University of Bern)

  • Bärbel Stecher

    (Max-von-Pettenkofer Institute, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF))

  • Uwe Sauer

    (Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich)

  • Kathy D. McCoy

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

  • Andrew J. Macpherson

    (Maurice Müller Laboratories (DKF), Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Inselspital, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 35)

Abstract

The overall composition of the mammalian intestinal microbiota varies between individuals: within each individual there are differences along the length of the intestinal tract related to host nutrition, intestinal motility and secretions. Mucus is a highly regenerative protective lubricant glycoprotein sheet secreted by host intestinal goblet cells; the inner mucus layer is nearly sterile. Here we show that the outer mucus of the large intestine forms a unique microbial niche with distinct communities, including bacteria without specialized mucolytic capability. Bacterial species present in the mucus show differential proliferation and resource utilization compared with the same species in the intestinal lumen, with high recovery of bioavailable iron and consumption of epithelial-derived carbon sources according to their genome-encoded metabolic repertoire. Functional competition for existence in this intimate layer is likely to be a major determinant of microbiota composition and microbial molecular exchange with the host.

Suggested Citation

  • Hai Li & Julien P. Limenitakis & Tobias Fuhrer & Markus B. Geuking & Melissa A. Lawson & Madeleine Wyss & Sandrine Brugiroux & Irene Keller & Jamie A. Macpherson & Sandra Rupp & Bettina Stolp & Jens V, 2015. "The outer mucus layer hosts a distinct intestinal microbial niche," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9292
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9292
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    Cited by:

    1. Xuanji Li & Asker Brejnrod & Jonathan Thorsen & Trine Zachariasen & Urvish Trivedi & Jakob Russel & Gisle Alberg Vestergaard & Jakob Stokholm & Morten Arendt Rasmussen & Søren Johannes Sørensen, 2023. "Differential responses of the gut microbiome and resistome to antibiotic exposures in infants and adults," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Bashar Shuoker & Michael J. Pichler & Chunsheng Jin & Hiroka Sakanaka & Haiyang Wu & Ana Martínez Gascueña & Jining Liu & Tine Sofie Nielsen & Jan Holgersson & Eva Nordberg Karlsson & Nathalie Juge & , 2023. "Sialidases and fucosidases of Akkermansia muciniphila are crucial for growth on mucin and nutrient sharing with mucus-associated gut bacteria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.

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