A glycopolymer improves vascoelasticity and mucociliary transport of abnormal cystic fibrosis mucus.

ABSTRACT: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by increased mucus viscosity and delayed mucociliary clearance that contributes to progressive decline of lung function. Mucus in the respiratory and GI tract is excessively adhesive in the presence of airway dehydration and excess extracellular Ca2+ upon mucin release, promoting hyperviscous, densely packed mucins characteristic of CF. Therapies that target mucins directly through ionic interactions remain unexploited. Here we show that poly (acetyl, arginyl) glucosamine (PAAG), a polycationic biopolymer suitable for human use, interacts directly with mucins in a Ca2+-sensitive manner to reduce CF mucus viscoelasticity and improve its transport. Notably, PAAG induced a linear structure of purified MUC5B and altered its sedimentation profile and viscos

SUBMITTER: Fernandez-Petty CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6538343 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature