Expression of mucin genes in chronic ethmoiditis

We have investigated the profiles of MUC genes expressed in chronic ethmoid itis mucosa and normal ethmoid mucosa using RT-PCR, and the morphology of c hronic ethmoiditis by a combination of light and electron microscope was ob served. In the light- and electron-microscopic studies, chronic ethmoiditis mucosa revealed increased numbers of goblet cells with higher production o f mucus in comparison to normal ethmoid mucosa. RT-PCR of cDNAs from three normal ethmoid mucosa revealed the same pattern of mucin gene expression, s uch as MUC5AC and MUC8. However, RT-PCR of cDNAs from eight chronic ethmoid itis mucosa showed the expression of two MUC1, six MUC4, eight MUC5AC, five MUC5B, seven MUC7, and eight MUC8. MUC2 and MUC6 were not detected. These results suggest that MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC7, and MUC8 are major mucins i n the ethmoid mucosa and are up-regulated by chronic inflammation.