Interplay of flagellar motility and mucin degradation stimulates the association of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can penetrate the extracellular mucin barrier formed by the intestinal epithelial cell layer and establish gut-derived sepsis in immunocompromised patients. We found that two efficient mechanisms, flagellar motility and mucin degradation, are needed for penetration of P. aeruginosa through the mucin barrier.