Structure and Function of the Polymeric Mucins in Airways Mucus

作者：David J. Thornton, Karine Rousseau, Michael A. McGuckin · 发表于：Annual Review of Physiology · 年份：2007 · DOI：10.1146/annurev.physiol.70.113006.100702 · 被引用次数：843 · 研究领域：Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research、Carbohydrate Chemistry and Synthesis、Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans research

The airways mucus gel performs a critical function in defending the respiratory tract against pathogenic and environmental challenges. In normal physiology, the secreted mucins, in particular the polymeric mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B, provide the organizing framework of the airways mucus gel and are major contributors to its rheological properties. However, overproduction of mucins is an important factor in the morbidity and mortality of chronic airways disease (e.g., asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The roles of these enormous, multifunctional, O-linked glycoproteins in health and disease are discussed.