Endotoxin, a kind of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is the glycolipid composition of cell walls of all Gram negative bacteria. The main biological reaction triggered by LPS is inflammation reaction. The surface epithelium of intestinal mucosa contains a large number of goblet cells which function as secreting mucus to soak chime and form a protection for digestive tract. The purpose of this experiment was to study the variations of the mucus secretion of intestinal gland goblet cells and whether dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, could exert an inhibitory effect at different time points after LPS application. Sprague-Dawley rats received an intravenous injection of LPS (15 mg/kg, over 5 seconds) through the femoral vein. India ink was used to label the leaky microvessels where the extravasated colloidal particles of dye were trapped between the endothelium and basement membrane. 5 and 30 minutes after LPS injection, strips of intestinal tissues were dehydrated and embedded with glycol methacrylate. Tissue sections 2 micrometers in thickness were histochemically stained with Alcian blue-PAS reagent. The number of goblet cells in intestinal glands of duodenum and ileum were counted. Mucus area and epithelial area of sampled glands were recorded with SimplePCI and statistically analyzed. 5 or 30 minutes after LPS, the percent (%) of the number of discharging goblet cells in intestinal glands significantly increased to 7-8 times as the saline control in duodenum. In the ileum, the number of discharging goblet cells in intestinal glands significantly increased to 5-18 times as the saline control. 30 min after LPS, the percent (%) of goblet cell mucus in epithelial area of intestinal glands decreased to half the value of control. DMTU prior to LPS, the mucus-discharging ability of goblet cells was inhibited. In duodenum, DMTU pretreatment 30 min earlier than LPS, the percent (%) of goblet cell mucus in epithelial area of intestinal glands increased to 1.4 times and the percent (%) of the number of discharging goblet cells in intestinal glands significantly was reduced by 90%. In ileum, DMTU pretreatment 5 min earlier than LPS, the percent (%)of the number of discharging goblet cells in intestinal glands decreased to one half as the control. From the experiment results, we could come to a conclusion that intravenous injection of a high dose of LPS induced an compound exocytotic release of mucus granules resulting in cavitation of goblet cell supranuclear cytoplasm and the released mucus temporarily accumulated in the lumen of glands. It is suggested that hydroxyl radicals were involved in LPS-induced mucus release from goblet cells.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the toxic chemical component of the cell wall in all gram-negative bacteria which can activate NF-£eB, also stimulate immune cells to release cytokines. These pro-inflammatory mediators induce systemic acute inflammation, multiple organs dysfunction syndrome¡]MODS¡^and sepsis. LPS could increase the permeability of capillary, and cause the acute formation of numerous endothelial gaps among venular endothelial cells that result in extensive plasma leakage in the inflammatory tissues. Plasma leakage from microvasculature is a hallmark of inflammation. Mammalian intestines have many goblet cells that synthesize mucus and discharge it into the intestinal lumen. The mucus film that covers the surface epithelium facing the lumen of digestive system, is an immune defense that can prevent gastrointestinal epithelium from chemical and physical damage and act as a lubricant. Goblet cells can discharge mucins in response to a wide variety of stimuli, including irritant gases, nerve activation, reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators. This study was aimed to investigate : (1) The degree of plasma leakage and goblet cell secretion in the small intestine of rats after an intravenous injection of a high dose of LPS (15 mg/kg), (2) The effect of £\2-adrenergic receptors antagonist, urethan, on endotoxin-induced plasma leakage and goblet cell secretion. For the study of plasma extravasation in small intestine during endotoxemia, India ink was used as the tracer to mark the inflamed leaky microvessels. The sections of the small intestine 3£gm in thickness were stained with Alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff reagent to detect glycoproteins of goblet cells. Our results showed that LPS not only caused an increase in plasma leakage but also triggered degranulation of many goblet cells in the small intestine. LPS augment the expression of plasma leakage and mucus secretion for three times. A large amount of extracellular mucus was accumulated between intestinal villi after LPS stimulation. Pretreatment with urethan, the £\2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited plasma leakage by 40-50% and goblet cell secretion by 25-30% induced by endotoxin. It is concluded that the plasma leakage and goblet cell hypersecretion induced by endotoxin shock was outstanding and associated with activation of £\2-adrenergic receptors.

¡iAbstract¡j Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the toxic chemical component of the cell wall in all gram-negative bacteria which can stimulate immune cells, including macrophages and white blood cell, to release cytokines such as interleukin-1£], interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-£\. These pro-inflammatory mediators induce systemic acute inflammation and multiple organs dysfuction syndrome in sepsis. Plasma leakage from microvasculature is a hallmark of inflammation. Previous studies have demonstrated that other inflammatory agents, such as capsaicin, substance P and histamine could cause the acute formation of numerous endothelial gaps in the venules that result in extensive plasma leakage in the inflammatory tissues of the whole respiratory tract and a part of digestive tract in a few minutes. Mammalian intestines have many goblet cells that synthesize mucus and discharge it into the intestinal lumen. The mucus film that covers the surface epithelium facing the lumen of digestive system, is an immune defense that can prevent gastrointestinal epithelium from chemical and physical damage and act as a lubricant. Changes in goblet cell function and number are involved in microbial infection, inflammatory syndromes and immune factors. This study was aimed to investigate: (1) The degree of Plasma leakage and goblet cell hypersecretion in the small intestine of rats after an intravenous injection of a high dose of LPS (15 mg/kg), and (2) The involvement of vagus nerve and cholinergic receptors in plasma leakage and goblet cell secretion. For the study of plasma extravasation in small intestine during endotoxema, India ink was used as the tracer to mark the inflamed leaky microvessels. Rats were perfusion-fixed through the aorta, and endothelial gaps between endothelial cells of blood vessels were made visible with silver staining. The methacrylate sections of the ileum 3 £gm in thickness were stained with Alcian blue and periodic acid-schiff reagent to detect glycoproteins of goblet cells. Our results showed that LPS not only caused an increase in plasma leakage but also triggered degranulation of many goblet cells in villi and crypts. Numerous gaps were found in postcapillary venules and collecting venules, and plasma extravasation was observed in the serosa and tunica muscularis rat small intestine after LPS. Extensive plasma extravasation occurred in earier phases (5-30 min). However, numerous goblet cells started to discharge mucus granules 30 min after LPS treatment. A large amount of extracellular mucus was accumulated between intestinal villi 1 hour after LPS stimulation. Pretreatment with atropine, the muscarinic receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited goblet cell secretion. The inhibitory effect of pretreatment with atropine or bilateral cervical vagotomy on LPS-induced plasma leakage was not consistent. It is concluded that the plasma leakage and goblet cell hypersecretion induced by endotoxin shock was time-dependent and was associated with activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors.

Proper lung function relies on the precise balance of specialized epithelial cell types that coordinate to maintain homeostasis. The Hippo pathway has emerged as a critical regulator of cell fate both developmentally and in a regenerative setting. The work presented in this dissertation describes essential roles for the transcriptional effectors of Hippo pathway signaling, Yap and Taz, in maintaining lung epithelial homeostasis. The data presented here demonstrate that conditional deletion of Yap and Wwtr1/Taz in the lung epithelium of adult mice results in severe defects with consequent animal lethality. Phenotypes associated with Yap/Taz deletion include alveolar disorganization, a development of mucin hypersecretion throughout the airways, and ciliary disorganization. Through in vivo lineage tracing, analysis of mouse and human tissues, along with in vitro molecular experiments, these studies show that nuclear YAP/TAZ exert transcriptional control over club cell fate, while in multiciliated cells, they function within the cytoplasm to maintain ciliary structures. Within club cells, reduced YAP/TAZ activity promotes intrinsic goblet transdifferentiation of secretory airway epithelial cells. Global gene expression and ChIP-Seq analyses reveal that YAP/TAZ act through the TEAD family of transcription factors to suppress a goblet cell differentiation program in airway epithelial cells, including direct repression of the SPDEF gene, which encodes a transcription factor required for goblet cell identity. Further in vitro studies identify cooperation between YAP/TAZ-TEAD and the NuRD chromatin remodeling complex to inhibit SPDEF expression and that Hippo-regulated YAP/TAZ impinge on cytokine-induced goblet cell differentiation. Within multiciliated cells, we observe that phosphorylated Yap localizes in a planar polarized manner at the base of cilia and controls ciliary and basal body density. Lineage specific Yap/Taz deletion leads to reduced ciliary density and height due to a loss of apically basal bodies. Collectively, this work identifies YAP/TAZ as critical factors in lung epithelial homeostasis and offers new molecular insight into the mechanisms regulating the secretory and multiciliated cell lineages, which are frequently impaired in a broad range of lung diseases. / 2024-02-02T00:00:00Z

Goblet cells in the mucosal layer of the gastrointestinal tract are the primary source of gel-forming mucins, representing front-line defense. Sterile alpha motif-pointed domain ETS family transcription factor (SPDEF) has a crucial role in terminal differentiation, proliferation and maturation of goblet cells. Gut microbiota is an integral part of our internal environment. In a murine model of intestinal helminthic infection Trichuris muris, the interaction between host microbiota and parasite was seen to play critical roles in immune defense. This interaction is mediated through various mechanisms, including Toll-like receptor (TLR) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor signaling cascades. However, the precise role of intestinal microbiota and NOD/TLR signaling in regulating SPDEF is not yet understood. Hence, we investigated the role of SPDEF in intestinal goblet cell response, the role of helminth-microbiota axis and NOD/TLR signaling in modulating SPDEF during T. muris infection. Experiments were conducted in wild-type (SPDEF+/+) and SPDEF-deficient (SPDEF-/-) mice on BALB/c background at different timepoints of T. muris infection. We observed increased PAS+ goblet cells and higher expression of SPDEF and Muc2 in SPDEF+/+ mice following infection with elevated levels of IL-4 and IL-13. SPDEF+/+ mice showed decreased worm burden from day 14 to 21 post-infection. Microbial analysis revealed altered composition in SPDEF+/+ and SPDEF-/- after infection. Microbiota was transplanted from naïve and T. muris infected mice to separate groups of antibiotic-treated (ABX-treated) mice. Increased PAS+ goblet cells and higher expression of SPDEF and Muc2 were observed in ABX-treated mice after receiving naive and T. muris-altered microbiota. Goblet cell number, the expression of SPDEF and Muc2 were higher in ABX-treated mice who received T. muris-altered microbiota. Microbial analysis revealed differences in T. muris-altered microbiota compared to naïve microbiota. In vitro experiment was conducted in human colonic mucin secreting LS174T cells where we observed stimulated mRNA expression of SPDEF and MUC2 by T. muris excretory-secretory products. These findings reveal new information about major interactions among parasites, microbiota and SPDEF-mediated intestinal goblet cell response in the context of host defense. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc)

No description available.

<p>Akrilamid je supstanca koja se prirodno stvara pečenjem i prženjem hrane bogate skrobom.&nbsp; Cilj rada je bio da se ispita subhronični i akutni uticaj akrilamida na debelo&nbsp;crevo prepubertalnih pacova. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da akrilamid ne naru&scaron;ava morfologiju zida creva, ali dovodi do promena u volumenskoj gustini njegovih tunika i lamina. Najizraženije promene&nbsp; su bile na&nbsp; vezivnom tkivu&nbsp; debelog creva.&nbsp; Analizom peharastih ćelija&nbsp; i sadržaja mucina pokazano je da akrilamid utiče i na ugljenohidratnu i na proteinsku komponentu mucina. Subhronični tretman je&nbsp; doveo do smanjenja broja&nbsp;limfocita i&nbsp; eozinofila, a&nbsp; kod akutnog tretmana&nbsp; je primećeno nakupljanje limfocita i eozinofila u kolonu akrilamidom tretiranih jedinki. Broj mastocita je u sva tri eksperimenta bio smanjen kod tretiranih životinja. Duže izlaganje akrilamidu ima imunosupresivno dejstvo kod pacova.</p> / <p>Acrylamide is natural product of cooking (baking, roasting) starchy food.&nbsp; Aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of subchronic and acute acrylamide treatment on juvenile&nbsp; rat colon.&nbsp; Changes&nbsp; in colon wall morphology was detected by stereological methods since histological evaluation reveal normal colon architecture&nbsp; after acrylamide intoxication.&nbsp; The changes was&nbsp; most prominent on&nbsp; connective tissue of rat colon.&nbsp; Acrylamide affected both protein&nbsp; component of mucins and glycans linked to peptide backbone.&nbsp; In subchronic&nbsp; treatment acrylamide caused reduction of lymphocytes&nbsp; and eosinophils &nbsp;number, while acute experiment lead to lymphocytes&nbsp; and&nbsp; eosinophils&nbsp; accumulation in colon tissue. Acrylamide intoxication decreased mast cell number in all experiments. Longer acrylamide exposure had immunosuppressive effect in rats.</p>

O estresse causa modificações no epitélio intestinal, tais como o aumento de células caliciformes e da taxa de apoptose. O uso de alimentos nutracêuticos tem sido uma alternativa para amenizar essas modificações sobre o tecido epitelial. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar se a inclusão de colostro bovino, o qual é constituído de fatores antioxidantes, imunes e de crescimento, seria capaz de amenizar as consequências do estresse crônico sob o intestino. Para isso, juvenis de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) adensados a 50 kg/m3 foram alimentados duas vezes ao dia até a saciedade com ração peletizada e semi-purificada sem (0%CBL) e com a inclusão de colostro bovino liofilizado em concentrações crescentes (10, 20 e 30%CBL), (n=4). Após 28 dias, foram coletados segmentos do intestino médio, S1 e S2, e reto. Os tecidos foram marcados com corantes histológicos para a quantificação de células caliciformes contendo mucinas neutras, ácidas (incluindo sialo e sulfomucinas) e ácidas-neutras. Também foram mensurados o volume (Vv) e a densidade da superfície (Sv) da mucosa, por análise estereológica, e a espessura da camada muscular. A razão do número de cada tipo e subtipo de célula caliciforme sobre o Vv e Sv foi calculada para estimar a densidade de células caliciformes, Dv e Ds, respectivamente. A taxa apoptótica foi analisada qualitativamente através da intensidade (alta, média e baixa) da imunomarcação da caspase-3 nas células epiteliais. As dietas não influenciaram os parâmetros zootécnicos analisados (P>0,05). No reto, os grupos que receberam 20 e 30%CBL apresentaram menor número de células caliciformes contendo sulfomucinas e menor Ds em relação a 0 e 10% (P=0,0148 e 0,0198, respectivamente). No RT, Dv total e Dv de células caliciformes contendo mucinas ácidas foi maior em 0 e 30%CBL em relação a 20%CBL (P=0,0155 e 0,225, respectivamente). No S1, 10 e 30%CBL apresentaram maior Dv em relação a 20%CBL (P=0,0540). A espessura da camada muscular, o Vv e a Sv não diferiram entre os tratamentos (P>0,05). No S2 e RT, a taxa de apoptose teve relação inversa à concentração de colostro bovino liofilizado adicionado na ração. Nos três segmentos, houve maior proporção de células caliciformes contendo mucinas ácidas do que neutras, sendo a maioria representada por sulfomucinas. Assim, a inclusão de colostro bovino liofilizado nas rações de juvenis de pacu adensados diminuiu a apoptose nos segmentos intestinais S2 e RT e também diminuiu o número de células caliciformes contendo sulfomucinas no RT, indicando que o colostro bovino liofilizado pode ser utilizado como alimento nutracêutico para pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) adensados, a fim de diminuir a taxa apoptótica e proteger o intestino contra enzimas bacterianas, uma das principais funções das sulfomucinas. / The stress causes changes in the intestinal epithelium, such as the increase in the number of goblet cells and on the rate of apoptosis. The use of nutraceutical foods has been an alternative to soften these modifications on the epithelial tissue. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate if the inclusion of bovine colostrum, which is composed of antioxidant, immune and growth factors, would be able to attenuate the consequences of chronic stress on the intestine. For this, pacu juveniles (Piaractus mesopotamicus), stocked at density of 50 kg/m3, were fed twice daily until satiety with pelleted and semi-purified diet without (0% LBC) and with the inclusion of lyophilized bovine colostrum in increasing concentrations (10, 20 and 30% LBC), (n = 4). After 28 days, segments of the middle gut, S1 and S2, and rectum (RT) were collected. The tissues were stained with histological dyes for the quantification of goblet cells containing neutral, acidic (including sialo and sulphomucins) and acid-neutral mucins. The volume (Vv) and surface density (Sv) of the mucosa were also measured by stereological analysis and the thickness of the muscular layer. The ratio between the number of each goblet cell type and subtype and the Vv or Sv was calculated to estimate the density of goblet cells, Dv and Ds, respectively. The apoptotic rate was analyzed qualitatively according to the intensity (high, medium and low) of caspase-3 immunostaining in epithelial cells. The diets did not influence the zootechnical parameters analyzed (P> 0.05). In the rectum, the groups that received 20 and 30% LBC presented lower number of goblet cells containing sulphomucins and lower Ds in relation to 0 and 10% (P = 0.0148 and 0.0198, respectively). In RT, total Dv and Dv of goblet cells containing acid mucins were higher in 0 and 30% LBC in relation to 20% LBC (P = 0.0155 and 0.225, respectively). In S1, 10 and 30% LBC presented higher Dv in relation to 20% LBC (P = 0.0540). Muscle layer thickness, Vv and Sv did not differ between treatments (P> 0.05). In S2 and RT, the rate of apoptosis was inversely related to the concentration of lyophilized bovine colostrum added in the diet. In the three segments, there was higher proportion of goblet cells containing acidic than neutral mucins, most of them being sulphomucins. Thus, the inclusion of lyophilized bovine colostrum in diets of pacu juveniles reduced apoptosis in the intestinal segments S2 and RT and also decreased the number of goblet-containing sulphomucins in the RT, indicating that lyophilized bovine colostrum can be used as a nutraceutical feed for pacus (Piaractus mesopotamicus) under high stocking density to decrease the apoptotic rate and protect the intestine against bacterial enzymes, one of the main functions of sulphomucins.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do colostro bovino liofilizado (CBL), utilizado como fonte parcial da dieta protéica, sobre as características histológicas do epitélio intestinal de juvenis de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) e dourado (Salminus brasiliensis). Os juvenis foram distribuídos num delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3x2. Foram utilizadas dietas com três níveis de inclusão de CBL (0%, 10% e 20%) e dois períodos experimentais (30 e 60 dias), oferecidas duas vezes ao dia até a saciedade aparente. Para o estudo histológico, o intestino foi dividido em três segmentos, S1, S2 e reto para pacu e S1, S2 e intestino posterior para dourado. Foram avaliadas a espessura da camada muscular; o volume parcial da mucosa absortiva (Vv); o número das células caliciformes contendo mucinas ácidas e neutras e totais, e os subtipos ácidas - sialomucinas e sufomucinas. Nos juvenis de pacu, a inclusão de 20% de CBL alterou a distribuição das células caliciformes contendo as mucinas ácidas, neutras e totais, os subtipos sialomucinas e sulfomucinas, e a espessura da camada muscular, enquanto o Vv foi afetado apenas pelo período experimental. Nos juvenis de dourados, efeito de período experimental foi observado para células caliciformes contendo mucinas ácidas, neutras e totais e os subtipos sialomucinas e sulfomucinas, espessura da camada muscular e Vv. A adição de 10% de CBL afetou apenas o Vv no segmento S1. Considerando os aspectos avaliados no presente estudo, a presença do colostro bovino liofilizado na dieta influenciou, no período estudado, as características histológicas entéricas de juvenis de pacu, enquanto que nos juvenis de dourado influencia desta secreção láctea não foi observada. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lyophilized bovine colostrum (LBC), used as partial source of protein in the diet, on the histological characteristics of the intestinal epithelium of juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) and juvenile dourado (Salminus brasiliensis). Juveniles were distributed in a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme 3x2. Three diets were used with different levels of LBC inclusion (0%, 10% and 20%) and two experimental periods (30 and 60 days) offered twice daily until apparent satiation. For the histological study, the intestine was divided into three segments, S1, S2 and rectum to the pacu and S1, S2 and posterior intestine to the dourado. The muscle layer thickness; the mucosal absorptive volume (Vv); the number of goblet cells containing acidic and neutral mucins and the acidic subtypes - sialomucin and sulphomucin were evaluated. In juvenile pacu, the inclusion of 20% of LBC changed the distribution of goblet cells containing acidic, neutral and total mucins, the subtypes sialomucins and sulphomucins, and the thickness of the muscle layer, while the Vv was affected only by the experimental period. In juvenile dourado, effect of experimental period was observed for goblet cells containing acidic, neutral and total mucins and subtypes sialomucins, sulphomucins, thickness of muscle layer and Vv. The addition of 10% of LBC affected only Vv in the segment S1. Considering the aspects studied, the presence of lyophilized bovine colostrum in the diet influenced, in the period studied, the enteric histological characteristics of juvenile pacu, while the juvenile dourado influence of this lacteal secretion was not observed.

Mucins, synthesised and secreted by goblet cells, possess potential binding sites for both commensal and pathogenic organisms, and may perform a defensive role during establishment of the intestinal barrier in newly hatched chickens. Increasing interest has been directed toward bacterial interactions within the mucus layer, and the mechanisms by which bacterial colonisation can influence mucus composition during early development. This is important, firstly, as a means to understand initiation of infection and secondly, to optimise the gut microflora for enhanced animal production. Currently, information on mucosal-bacterial interactions in poultry is limited. In order to observe the effects of bacterial exposure on intestinal goblet cell mucin production during early development, differences in the small intestine of conventionally-raised (CV) and low bacterial load (LBL) broiler chicks were examined during the first 7 days post-hatch. The initial aim of the study was to construct a small-scale, economical isolator system to hatch and raise chicks in a bacterial-free environment as a means to observe bacterial interactions with the intestinal mucosa in chickens exposed to normal environmental conditions. The design and construction of flexible plastic isolators for incubation and brooding are described, along with methodologies for preparation of eggs for entry into the isolators, incubation and hatching. Two trials were conducted, the first in August 2005 and the second in March 2006. It was found that the isolator system was successful in producing low bacterial load chicks for comparative studies with conventionally raised chicks, without compromising body weight. A histological study was then conducted whereby ileal and jejunal goblet cells were stained with either periodic acid-Schiff or high iron diamine/alcian blue pH 2.5 to discriminate between neutral, sulphated and sialyated acidic mucins. Total goblet cell numbers and goblet cell and villous/crypt morphology were also examined. Bacterial colonisation of CV animals induced an increase in sialic acid moieties in both ileal and jejunal goblet cell such that initiation of these changes occurred at day 3-4 post-hatch. Differences in intestinal morphology were also consistent with other germ-free animal studies. In order to further understand the extent to which bacteria affected mucin composition, purified, isolated oligosaccharide fractions from ileal mucin at d 4 and 7 post-hatch were collected and analysed using mass spectrometry techniques to determine any structural differences in chain length or chain number between LBL and CV animals. No differences in chain length or number were observed between CV and LBL animals at either d 4 or 7 post-hatch with both groups equally displaying chain lengths of both low and high molecular weights. Although structural differences in mucin oligosaccharides were not observed between LBL and CV animals, bacterial binding assays utilising whole ileal sections were employed to determine whether or not the differences in mucin composition between LBL and CV animals during early development may have deterred or enhanced binding of certain bacterial species. Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus salivarius were selected for the experiment. Binding of L. salivarius to ileal sections was very low whereas E. coli binding was greater, and more pronounced in LBL animals, especially at d 7 post-hatch. No statistically significant differences were observed in binding of E. coli to purified ileal mucin from LBL and CV animals at either d 4 or d 7 post-hatch. Correlations between E. coli and L. salivarius adherence to ileal tissue and mucin samples, and goblet cell parameters, were not statistically significant when fitted as co-variates. It was concluded that the changes in mucin composition played a minor role in bacterial adhesion of L. salivarius and this E. coli serotype. In summary, this thesis explores the physiological changes in goblet cell mucin production in response to bacterial exposure post-hatch. The thesis outlines the complexity of mucosal-bacterial interactions which would benefit from the employment of specialised techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and microarray technologies to examine a greater range of mucin structures and gene expression. This thesis provides support for future investigations into the influence of intestinal microflora on mucosal and mucin dynamics of poultry and the potential development of prebiotics for use in animal production. / http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1297640 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2007