title: MUC Expression in Gallbladder Epithelial Tissues in Cholesterol-Associated Gallbladder Disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gallstone pathogenesis is linked to mucin hypersecretion and bacterial infection. Several mucin genes have been identified in gallbladder epithelial cells (GBECs). We investigated MUC expression in cholesterol-associated gallbladder disease and evaluated the relationship between mucin and bacterial infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study involved 20 patients with cholesterol stones with cholecystitis, five with cholesterol stones with cholesterolosis, six with cholesterol polyps, two with gallbladder cancer, and six controls. Canine GBECs treated with lipopolysaccharide were also studied. MUC3, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6 antibodies were used for dot/slot immunoblotting and immunohistochemical studies of the gallbladder epithelial tissues, canine GBECs, and bile. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate MUC3 and MUC5B expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MUC3, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6 were expressed in the normal gallbladder epithelium, and of those, MUC3 and MUC5B exhibited the highest expression levels. Greatly increased levels of MUC3 and MUC5B expression were observed in the cholesterol stone group, and slightly increased levels were observed in the cholesterol polyp group; MUC3 and MUC5B mRNA was also upregulated in those groups. Canine GBECs treated with lipopolysaccharide also showed upregulation of MUC3 and MUC5B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mucin genes with the highest expression levels in gallbladder tissue in cholesterol-associated diseases were MUC3 and MUC5B. Cholesterol stones and gallbladder infections were associated with increased MUC3 and MUC5B expression.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Kyo-Sang
authors: KS
authors: Yoo
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Ho Soon
authors: HS
authors: Choi
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Dae Won
authors: DW
authors: Jun
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hang Lak
authors: HL
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Oh Young
authors: OY
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Byung Chul
authors: BC
authors: Yoon
authors: Department of General Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Kyeong Geun
authors: KG
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Seung Sam
authors: SS
authors: Paik
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Yong Seok
authors: YS
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea.
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000166:cytology; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005752:Gastric Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D055271:Mucin 5AC / Q000378:metabolism; D055263:Mucin-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D055257:Mucin-5B / Q000378:metabolism; D055272:Mucin-6 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005752:Gastric Mucins; D055271:Mucin 5AC; D055263:Mucin-3; D055257:Mucin-5B; D055272:Mucin-6
keywords: Cholesterol; Gallstones; Infection; MUC3; MUC5B