Nasosinus mucin expression in normal and inflammatory conditions.

OBJECTIVE

Mucin expression in normal nasosinus mucosa is upregulated in inflammatory conditions. However, as the first nine mucin genes are expressed, and as more mucins are expected to be expressed in nasosinus mucosa, the range and pattern of variations in mucin expression in nasosinus mucosa would be wide and complicated. This review discusses current knowledge on mucin expression in normal and pathologic nasosinus mucosa.

RESULTS

Studies on nasosinus mucin expression indicate that mucin genes upregulated in inflamed nasosinus mucosa include MUCs1, 2, 4, 5AC, 5B and 8 in different combinations and to various degrees. Nasosinus submucosal glands play a more important role in mucin expression than surface epithelium. However, most of the studies on nasosinus mucin expression are focused on basic science and as yet the clinical implications of nasosinus mucin gene expression are still unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

Nasosinus mucin expression is very complicated. Studies including large numbers of samples are needed to investigate the role of different physiological and pathological variables, including inflammatory mediators, in the control of nasosinus mucin expression. This is essential for better understanding of clinical implications of altered nasosinus mucin expression and for future therapeutic applications.