Significance of fucose in intestinal health and disease

Abstract

The deoxyhexose sugar L-fucose is important for many biological processes within the human body and the associated microbiota. This carbohydrate is abundant in host gut mucosal surfaces, numerous microbial cell surface structures, and some dietary carbohydrates. Fucosylated oligosaccharides facilitate the establishment of a healthy microbiota and provide protection from infection. However, there are instances where pathogens can also exploit these fucosylated structures to cause infection. Furthermore, deficiencies in host fucosylation are associated with specific disease outcomes. This review focuses on our current understanding of the impact of fucosylation within the mucosal environment of the gastrointestinal tract with a specific emphasis on the mediatory effects in host-microbe interactions.