Mucin gene expression is significantly increased in germ-free mice compared to conventionally reared mice.

<p>(A) <i>Muc1</i>, (B) <i>Muc3</i>, and (C) <i>Muc4</i> are all significantly (<i>P</i><0.05) increased (∼2.5–4.5 fold) in germ-free mice when compared to conventionally reared mice. Neither (D) <i>Muc5ac</i> nor (E) <i>Muc5b</i> displayed any differences and expression was highly variable among mice.