Role of glycans in microbiota homeostasis
Glycans decorate all cell surfaces, such as mucin glycans and
proteoglycans on host epithelial cells or capsular polysaccharides,
lipopolysaccharides, or glycoproteins on bacterial
cells131,132. The glycocalyx (combined coat of glycans
on the host cell surfaces, acting as a protective barrier between the
epithelial layer and mucus layer) is essential in mediating immune
responses in the gut by separating epithelial cells from the microbiota
(Fig. 1A)133.