[HTML][HTML] Airway mucus and asthma: the role of MUC5AC and MUC5B

LR Bonser, DJ Erle - Journal of clinical medicine, 2017 - mdpi.com
Journal of clinical medicine, 2017mdpi.com
Asthma is characterized by mucus abnormalities. Airway epithelial hyperplasia and
metaplasia result in changes in stored and secreted mucin and the production of a
pathologic mucus gel. Mucus transport is impaired, culminating in mucus plugging and
airway obstruction—a major cause of morbidity in asthma. The polymeric mucins MUC5AC
and MUC5B are integral components of airway mucus. MUC5AC and MUC5B gene
expression is altered in asthma, and recent work sheds light on their contribution to asthma …
Asthma is characterized by mucus abnormalities. Airway epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia result in changes in stored and secreted mucin and the production of a pathologic mucus gel. Mucus transport is impaired, culminating in mucus plugging and airway obstruction—a major cause of morbidity in asthma. The polymeric mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B are integral components of airway mucus. MUC5AC and MUC5B gene expression is altered in asthma, and recent work sheds light on their contribution to asthma pathogenesis. Herein, we review our current understanding of the role of MUC5AC and MUC5B in mucus dysfunction in asthma.
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