Overproduction of MUC5AC core protein in patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis.
BACKGROUND
The genetic identities of mucins secreted in the airways of patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) have not been previously investigated, although hypersecretion is a common feature of this disease.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the production of MUC5AC, a major core protein of mucin in airway secretion, and the effect of macrolide treatment on such production in patients with DPB.


METHODS
We performed Western blot analysis for MUC5AC of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid patients. Cases consisted of four groups including patients with DPB, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and sarcoidosis, and healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
MUC5AC was detected in DPB patients but not in other groups. Macrolide treatment tended to inhibit such production in DPB patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that overproduction of MUC5AC plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DPB.
Kaneko
Yukihiro
Y
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan.
Yanagihara
Katsunori
K
Miyazaki
Yoshitsugu
Y
Hirakata
Yoichi
Y
Mukae
Hiroshi
H
Tomono
Kazunori
K
Okada
Yoshio
Y
Kadota
Jun-Ichi
J
Kohno
Shigeru
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D009077:Mucins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000378:metabolism
C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D009077:Mucins