title: Submucosal gland cells in human lower airways produce MUC5AC protein.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tohoku University Hospital, Seiryoumachi, Sendai 980-8574, Japan. dinoue@world.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Takahiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Hiroyasu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Muneo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Numasaki
authors.forename: Hidetada
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Mutsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaya
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: C524678:MUC5AC protein, human; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D009077:Mucins