Development of a functional human bronchial model of mucin secretion

In an attempt to study the functional aspects of respiratory mucin secretio n and the effects of mediators of inflammation on the release of M-1/MUC5AC mucins in airways diseases, an ex vivo human bronchial model of mucin secr etion was developed. Anti-M-1 mucin monoclonal antibodies raised against th e peptidic core of ovarian cyst M-1 mucins were used. PAS and Alcian blue s tainings of sections of bronchial rings revealed the presence of mucins in epithelial goblet cells as well as in glandular mucous cells. Immunohistoch emical labelling of these sections with anti-M-1 monoclonal antibodies reve aled a preferential localization of M1/MUC5AC mucins in epithelial goblet c ells. Functional studies were performed on this bronchial model using vario us secretagogues (methacholine, leukotrienes D4 and and-human immunoglobuli n E antibodies). No statistical difference of M-1/MUC5AC mucin secretion wa s observed after a one-hour stimulation of bronchial rings with these agent s. The development of an ex vivo functional human bronchial model of mucin secretion and the use of specific anti-Mi antibodies are essential tools in studying the regulation of the M-1/MUC5AC mucin release from human airways .