mucinpathogens
Mucinpathogens are pathogens that interact with mucins, the glycoprotein components of mucus, during infection. Mucins form a viscoelastic barrier on mucosal surfaces such as the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts. Some pathogens exploit this barrier to adhere, invade, or persist, while others alter mucin production or structure to enhance colonization or immune evasion. The diversity of mucin types and glycan patterns across tissues and individuals can influence susceptibility and disease outcomes.
Mechanisms of interaction include adhesion to mucin glycans through bacterial adhesins, lectin-like proteins, or viral surface
Organisms commonly associated with mucin interactions span bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori
Research directions include developing decoy mucins, mucolytic approaches, and vaccines that target mucin-binding factors to reduce