Bacterial Mucolysis, Inflammatory Mucogenesis and the Stability of Host-Intestinal Microbiota Interactions

Abstract

Together, the four experiments of this dissertation addressed the balance between the intestinal microbial ecology and the host. Moreover, the intestinal mucosal barrier serves as an important and necessary mediator of host-microbe interactions. Due to the exquisite sensitivity of this complex system, disruptions to the microbiota, the mucosal barrier or the host-related cells can result in subsequent alterations to the other components resulting in intestinal disorders and compromised host health.