Membrane-associated Mucin 1 (MUC1) Promotes Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-mediated Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) Overproduction in Chronic Airway Disease

Airway mucus overproduction is a common characteristic in chronic airway diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mucin 1 (MUC1), a membrane-associated mucin, interacts with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to stimulate epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). In chronic airway disease, EGFR activation results in overproduction of Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) and goblet cell metaplasia (GCM). We investigated the role of MUC1 in mucus overproduction in chronic airway disease.

Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology - February 1, 2019 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Kosuk Kato, Eugene H. Chang, Yin Chen, Kwang Chul Kim Source Type: research