Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Glycocalyx Development by Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Non-Digestible Carbohydrates.
SCOPE
The epithelial glycocalyx development is of great importance for microbial colonization. Human milk oligosaccharides (hMOs) and non-digestible carbohydrates (NDCs) may modulate glycocalyx development.


METHODS AND RESULTS
The effects of hMOs and NDCs on human gut epithelial cells (Caco2) are investigated by quantifying thickness and area coverage of adsorbed albumin, heparan sulfate (HS), and hyaluronic acid (HA) in the glycocalyx. Effects of hMOs (2'-FL and 3-FL) and NDCs [inulins with degrees of polymerization (DP) (DP3-DP10, DP10-DP60, DP30-DP60) and pectins with degrees of methylation (DM) (DM7, DM55, DM69)] are tested using immunofluorescence staining at 1 and 5 days stimulation. HMOs show a significant enhancing effect on glycocalyx development but effects are structure-dependent. 3-FL induces a stronger albumin adsorption and increases HS and HA stronger than 2'-FL. The DP3-DP10, DP30-60 inulins also increase glycocalyx development in a structure-dependent manner as DP3-DP10 selectively increases HS, while DP30-DP60 specifically increases HA. Pectins have less effects, and only increase albumin adsorption.


CONCLUSION
Here, it is shown that 2'-FL and 3-FL and inulins stimulate glycocalyx development in a structure-dependent fashion. This may contribute to formulation of effective hMO and NDC formulations in infant formulas to support microbial colonization and gut barrier function.
['Kong|Chunli|C|', 'Elderman|Marlies|M|', 'Cheng|Lianghui|L|', 'de Haan|Bart J|BJ|', 'Nauta|Arjen|A|', 'de Vos|Paul|P|']
D018938:Caco-2 Cells D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates D004847:Epithelial Cells D019276:Glycocalyx D006801:Humans D007444:Inulin D008895:Milk, Human D009844:Oligosaccharides D010368:Pectins
glycocalyx human milk oligosaccharides non-digestible carbohydrates gut barrier function intestinal epithelium