Peroxidase-mediated mucin cross-linking drives pathologic mucus gel formation in IL-13-stimulated airway epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Mucus plugs occlude airways to obstruct airflow in asthma. Studies in patients and in mouse models show that mucus plugs occur in the context of type 2 inflammation, and studies in human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) show that IL-13-activated cells generate pathologic mucus independently of immune cells. To determine how HAECs autonomously generate pathologic mucus, we used a magnetic microwire rheometer to characterize the viscoelastic properties of mucus secreted under varying conditions. We found that normal HAEC mucus exhibited viscoelastic liquid behavior and that mucus secreted by IL-13-activated HAECs exhibited solid-like behavior caused by mucin cross-linking. In addition, IL-13-activated HAECs shows increased peroxidase activity in apical secretions, and an overlaid thiolated po

SUBMITTER: Liegeois MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11383604 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature