the mucus layer plays an important role as an intermediate for the protection of the gut against acidic chyme, digestive enzymes, and pathogens; in addition, it acts as a lubricant and facilitator of nutrient transportation. phytogenic compounds seem to promote intestinal mucus production. objectives: the current study was conducted to investigate the effects of low and high levels of energy an...

background the process of neoplastic transformation in the stomach has been reported to be associated with decreased expression of normal mucins of the gastric mucosa and denovo expression of mucins that are normally expressed in other organs. this association may be used as a means to bring new insights into biologic behavior and genetic pathways in the development of gastric cancer. there are...

Airway mucin secretion and MC (mast cell) degranulation must be tightly controlled for homoeostasis of the lungs and immune system respectively. We found the exocytic protein Munc18b to be highly expressed in mouse airway epithelial cells and MCs, and localized to the apical pole of airway secretory cells. To address its functions, we created a mouse with a severely hypomorphic Munc18b allele s...

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a unique variety of chronic polypoid rhinosinusitis usually in atopic individuals, characterized by presence of eosinophilic mucin and fungal hyphae in paranasal sinuses without invasion into surrounding mucosa. It has emerged as an important disease involving a large population across the world with geographic variation in incidence and epidemiology. Th...

BACKGROUND Childhood hospitalization related to asthma remains at historically high levels, and its incidence is on the rise world-wide. Previously, we have demonstrated that aldose reductase (AR), a regulatory enzyme of polyol pathway, is a major mediator of allergen-induced asthma pathogenesis in mouse models. Here, using AR null (AR-/-) mice we have investigated the effect of AR deficiency o...

background: recent researches have demonstrated that human t-cell immunoglobulin mucin 1 (tim-1) glycoprotein plays important roles in regulation of autoimmune and allergic diseases, as well as in tumor immunity and response to viral infections. therefore,targeting tim-1 could be a potential therapeutic approach against such diseases.objectives: in this study, we aimed to express tim-1 protein ...

BACKGROUND Akkermansia muciniphila and Desulfovibrio spp. are commensal microbes colonising the mucus gel layer of the colon. Both species have the capacity to utilise colonic mucin as a substrate. A. muciniphila degrades colonic mucin, while Desulfovibrio spp. metabolise the sulfate moiety of sulfated mucins. Altered abundances of these microorganisms have been reported in ulcerative colitis (...

The dioxins and dioxin-like compounds in cigarette smoke and environmental pollutants modulate immunological responses. These environmental toxicants are known to cause lung cancer but have also recently been implicated in allergic and inflammatory diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a novel pathway of this response, the activation of a nucl...

Airway inflammation and mucus hyperproduction play the central role in the development of asthma, although the mechanisms remain unclear. The aquaporin (AQP)-5 may be involved in the process due to its contribution to the volume of liquid secreted from the airways. The present study firstly found the overexpression of AQP5 in the airway epithelium and submucosal glands of asthmatics. Furthermor...

Single-dose administration of beta-adrenoceptor agonists produces bronchodilation and inhibits airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and is the standard treatment for the acute relief of asthma. However, chronic repetitive administration of beta-adrenoceptor agonists may increase AHR, airway inflammation, and risk of death. Based upon the paradigm shift that occurred with the use of beta-blockers i...