Mucin gene expression and mouse middle ear epithelium.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of recently identified human mucin genes in an in vitro model of cultured mouse middle ear epithelial cells (MMEEC).


METHODS
MMEEC were established, RNA was extracted and primers were designed for RT-PCR to assess for expression of mucin genes Muc1, Muc2, Muc3, Muc4, Muc5AC, Muc5B, Muc6, Muc7, Muc8, Muc9, Muc10, Muc11/12, Muc13, Muc15, Muc16, Muc17, Muc18, Muc19 and Muc20 expression.


RESULTS
Mucin genes Muc1, Muc2, Muc3, Muc4, Muc5AC, Muc5B, Muc9, Muc10, Muc13, Muc15, Muc16, Muc18, Muc19 and Muc20 were identified and expressed in MMEEC. The genes Muc6, Muc7, Muc8, Muc11/12 and Muc17 were not identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Many of the mucin genes that have been recently identified in human MEE and chinchilla MEE are also expressed in MMEEC. There are differences in expression, however, which may have implications in utilizing various animal models for study of middle ear physiology and pathogenesis; specifically as it relates to mucin gene expression.
Kerschner
Joseph E
JE
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States. kersch@mcw.edu
Li
Jizhen
J
Tsushiya
Katsuyuki
K
Khampang
P
P
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009077:Mucins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D009077:Mucins