FABP2 and coccidiosis: However, to the best of our knowledge, no direct interaction between FABPs and mucus production and/or quality has been reported so far.A downregulation in mRNA expression of FABP2 occurred in compromised gut barrier chickens (challenged with coccidiosis vaccine) along with decreased MUC2 and occludin expression, which indicate the role of FABP2 in maintaining intestinal integrity in chicken (141).