MUC5AC and infection: This reconstitution of the intestinal topology resulted in increased expression of mucins scaffold-cultured cells compared to 2D culture.163,179 The mucin layer protected the epithelial cells from infection with the prototypic adherent-invasive E. coli strain LF82 or invasive S. Typhimurium, which was reversible by knock-down of the mucin MUC17.