Localization and expression of MUC5B and MUC7 mucins in pediatric sinus mucosa.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the secretory cell population and distribution of MUC5B and MUC7 mucins in the sinus mucosa of pediatric patients with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).


METHODS
Sinus mucosal specimens were collected at surgery in a pediatric tertiary care facility. Histologic, immunohistochemical, and morphometric analyses were performed on sinus mucosa of 20 children with CRS and 7 children without CRS.


RESULTS
A significant increase in the area of submucosal glands was evident in the sinus mucosa of children with CRS as compared to controls. MUC5B and MUC7 mucins were expressed in the submucosal glands, as well as in goblet cells, in the sinus mucosa of both populations. No differences in MUC5B or MUC7 expression were observed when mucin expression was normalized to glandular area.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with CRS have an increased number of submucosal glands, indicating that glandular mucins contribute to mucus overproduction in CRS. MUC5B and MUC7 mucins, which have previously been considered only glandular mucins, are also expressed in goblet cells in the sinus mucosa.
Peñia
Maria T
MT
Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Department of Otolaryngology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Aujla
Pawandeep K
PK
Zudaire
Enrique
E
Watson
Alan M
AM
Przygodzki
Ronald
R
Zalzal
George H
GH
Rose
Mary C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000378:metabolism; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000378:metabolism
D009077:Mucins