Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are primarily T lymphocytes that participate in the regulation of the immune response and IELs are major cellular components of the mucosal immune system that form molecular and cellular networks with IECs. The GCs synthesize and secrete mucus that covers the gastrointestinal epithelium, forming a boundary between the luminal contents and mucosa [28]. Furthermore, GCs have a pivotal role in regulating the localization of commensal bacteria in the intestinal lumen and in maintaining the homeostasis of the gut microenvironment by producing mucins [29]. This study demonstrated that COS supplementation could increase intestinal epithelium IELs and GCs, which is consistent with these reports. However, themechanism by which COS interacts with IECs and leads into immunological
response is still unclear.