MUC5AC and a Glycosylated Variant of MUC5B Alter Mucin Composition in Children With Acute Asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diffuse airway mucus obstruction is an important feature of severe and fatal asthma. MUC5AC and MUC5B are the principal gel-forming mucins found in airway mucus. The mucin composition of airway mucus likely affects its functional properties.

Methods

We quantified the principal airway mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B in the sputum of age-matched children with acute and stable asthma and healthy control subjects by using Western blotting.

Results

Sputum samples from 38 children (13 with acute asthma, 15 with stable asthma, 10 control subjects) were obtained. Sputum MUC5AC concentrations were 7.6 μg/mL in control subjects, 22.4 μg/mL in those with stable asthma (P = .17), and 44.7 μg/mL in those with acute asthma (P < .05). MUC5B concentrations showed less variation, w

SUBMITTER: Welsh KG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5624091 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature