Mucus--Friend or Foe?

The sticky, slimy goo, mucus, plays an essential role in fighting off infections, shaping the gut microbiome and more.

Mucus might seem like an unappealing part of our bodies, but it's a surprising health hero.

Scientists see it as a biological marvel, essential for protecting us from bacteria, pollutants, and viruses. Dr. Katharina Ribbeck, an MIT professor of biological engineering, calls mucus a "masterpiece of biological engineering." It coats all our wet surfaces-eyes, throat, lungs, gut-keeping them hydrated and functioning.

Made up of water and mucins, mucus creates a protective gel that keeps our nasal passages, gut and lungs free from harmful intruders. "It's designed to protect you from the outside world," says Dr. Richard Boucher, pulmonologist and director of the Marsico Lung Institute. This viscoelastic substance is thick enough to stay put but flexible enough to be cleared from the airways.

Mucus also plays a role in sensory functions, covering our olfactory cells and taste buds so we can smell and taste properly. It shields our stomach lining from acid, helps food move through our intestines, and allows sperm to reach eggs in the cervix. Its mucins, dense proteins with complex sugars, even support our immune response by binding to pathogens and expelling them.

Mucus overproduction, though, can lead to health issues, from stuffy noses to chronic conditions like asthma COPD and bronchiectasis.

The exciting news is that researchers are now exploring how to harness mucus for health benefits, developing treatments using mucins to target infections without antibiotics.

Full article written by Nina Agrawal in The New York Times

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