Mechanical Characterization of Mucus on Intestinal Tissues by Atomic Force Microscopy

Mucus is part of the innate immune system that defends the mucosa against microbiota and other infectious threats. The mechanical characteristics of mucus, such as viscosity, elasticity, and lubricity, are critically involved in its barrier function. However, assessing the mechanical properties of mucus remains challenging because of technical limitations. Thus, a new approach that characterizes the mechanical properties of mucus on colonic tissues needs to be developed. Here, we describe a novel strategy to characterize the ex vivo mechanical properties of mucus on colonic tissues using atomic force microscopy. This description includes the preparation of the mouse colon sample, AFM calibration, and determining the elasticity (Young’s modulus, E [kPa]) of the mucus layer in the colon.