Airway goblet-cell mucus secretion

A mucus hypersecretory phenotype is a dominant characteristic of chronic ai rways diseases such as chronic bronchitis and asthma. This phenotype develo ps following chronic exposure of the respiratory tract to particulate matte r, allergens, irritants and/or pathogens. The associated increase in the mu cus-producing potential of the respiratory epithelium represents an innate host response that can be modulated by elements of the adaptive host respon se. Although elevation of mucus production is designed to protect the airwa ys, increasing evidence suggests that in excess it can be detrimental to he alth. Considerable progress has been made over the past five years in under standing the mechanisms involved in the development and regulation of the h ypersecretory phenotype. This progress has set the stage for the developmen t of successful dedicated mucomodulatory strategies to counter the negative impact of excess mucus production in respiratory disease.