Submucosal gland cells in human lower airways produce MUC5AC protein.
OBJECTIVE
It is now considered that the major component of mucus, MUC5AC, is mainly produced by goblet cells but not submucosal glands, and the role of the submucosal glands in the production of MUC5AC is unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify whether human submucosal glands produce MUC5AC.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical analysis with MUC5AC antibody of lower airways resected from six lung cancer patients and three patients with acute myocardial infarction was performed.


RESULTS
The submucosal glands contained both MUC5AC-positive cells and non-positive cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that MUC5AC protein is produced in both goblet cells and in airway submucosal glands.
Inoue
Daisuke
D
Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tohoku University Hospital, Seiryoumachi, Sendai 980-8574, Japan. dinoue@world.ocn.ne.jp
Kubo
Hiroshi
H
Watanabe
Mika
M
Sasaki
Takahiko
T
Yasuda
Hiroyasu
H
Numasaki
Muneo
M
Sasaki
Hidetada
H
Yamaya
Mutsuo
M
D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D009077:Mucins