Altered O-glycosylation profile of MUC2 mucin occurs in active ulcerative colitis and is associated with increased inflammation.

Background: The MUC2 mucin organizes the two mucus layers in the colon. This mucin carries a large number of O-glycans that are assumed to be attachment sites for the commensal flora found in the outer mucus layer.

Methods: Single biopsies from the sigmoid colon of controls (25) and patients with inactive (13) or active (15) ulcerative colitis (UC) were collected during routine colonoscopy.