Gallbladder Inflammation is Associated with Increase in Mucin Expression and Pigmented Stone Formation

Mucin is a high molecular weight glycoprotein that plays an important role in protecting the gallbladder epithelium from the detergent effect of bile. However, it also participates in gallstone formation. There is little information about a possible relationship between gallbladder inflammation and mucin expression or gallbladder stones’ characteristics. The aims of this study were to investigate stone characteristics and patterns of mucin expression in the gallbladder epithelium and bile of gallstone patients, in relation to inflammation. Gallbladder bile and tissue samples from 21 patients were obtained at surgery. Mucin content was evaluated by gel filtration on a Sepharose CL-4B column. Dot blot for bile mucin apoproteins and immunohistochemistry staining for gallbladder mucosal mucin apoproteins were performed with antibodies to MUC2, MUC3, MUC5AC, MUC5B and MUC6. Staining intensity score (0–3) was used for assessment of antigen expression and the level of inflammation. Gallstone cholesterol content was determined in 16 patients. MUC 5AC and MUC 5B were demonstrated in 95.4 and 100% of gallbladder bile samples, respectively. Immunohistochemistry staining with antibodies to MUC 2, MUC 3, MUC 5AC, MUC 5B and MUC 6 were positive in 0, 100, 85.7, 100 and 95.4% of the gallbladder mucosal samples, respectively. Pigmented brown stones were associated with a higher level of gallbladder inflammation. Mucin species expressed in gallbladder epithelium are MUC3, MUC5AC, MUC5B and MUC6. MUC5AC and MUC5B are secreted into bile. Inflammation of the gallbladder is accompanied by a higher level of MUC5AC expression and is associated with pigmented brown stones.     

Altered Mucin Gene Expression in Stone-Containing Intrahepatic Bile Ducts and Cholangiocarcinomas

Neoplastic transformation of epithelial cells is commonly associated with alterations in the synthesis and structures of mucin. Mucin protein epitopes and mRNA levels were frequently altered in adenocarcinomas compared to corresponding normal tissues. Clinically, hepatolithiasis has been regarded as a risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma. The aims of this study were to determine the possible alteration of mucin gene expression in stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts and cholangiocarcinomas and to try to predict whether or not hepatolithiasis has a predisposition to development of cholangiocarcinoma. In situ hybridization with DIG-tailed oligonucleotides was performed on sections of paraffin-embedded tissues of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts, cholangiocarcinomas, and normal controls to identify the expression of MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5B, and MUC5AC in nonneoplastic and neoplastic biliary epithelium. The findings showed that (1) while multiple diverse mucin genes were expressed in the biliary epithelium, MUC3 and MUC5B mRNA were the main mucin genes expressed in the biliary epithelium of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts and normal controls; (2) absent or decreased expression of MUC2, MUC3, and MUC5B of mRNA was found in cholangiocarcinomas in contrast to nonneoplastic biliary epithelium; and (3) increased expression of MUC4 and MU5AC of mRNA was found in cholangiocarcinomas and the biliary epithelium, especially for dysplastic cells of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts compared with normal controls. In this study, using in situ hybridization we demonstrated that neoplastic transformation of the biliary epithelium is accompained by alterations in mucin gene expression, the altered mucin gene expression in dysplastic cells of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts may reflect a higher potential for malignant transformation in these cells, and it could be a precursor of cholangiocarcinoma in the presence of hepatolithiasis.     

Mucin gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. It is characterised by chronic mucosal ulcerations which affect any part of the intestine but most commonly are found in the ileum and proximal colon. AIMS: Studies were undertaken to provide information regarding cell specific expression of mucin genes in the ileum of patients with CD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression of mucin genes was analysed in the ileal mucosa of patients with CD and controls by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In healthy ileal mucosa, patients with CD showed a pattern identical to normal controls with main expression of MUC2 and MUC3, lesser expression of MUC1 and MUC4, and no expression of MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC6, or MUC7. In the involved mucosa, the pattern was somewhat comparable although heterogeneous to that observed in healthy ileal mucosa. Importantly, a particular mucin gene expression pattern was observed in ileal mucosa close to the ulcer margins in ulcer associated cell lineage, with the appearance of MUC5AC and MUC6 mRNAs and peptides, which are normally restricted to the stomach (MUC5AC and MUC6) and duodenum (MUC6), and disappearance of MUC2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that gel forming mucins (more particularly MUC5AC and MUC6) may have a role in epithelial wound healing after mucosal injury in inflammatory bowel diseases in addition to mucosal protection.     

Altered Mucin Core Peptide Expression in Acute and Chronic Cholecystitis

Human mucin genes include membrane-bound mucins (MUC1, MUC3, MUC4) and secretory mucins (MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC6). Our aim was to determine mucin gene expression in human gallbladder cell lines, normal gallbladder from liver donors (N = 7) and surgical specimens with mild chronic cholecystitis (N = 29), chronic cholecystitis (N = 48), and acute and chronic cholecystitis (N = 27). MUC1 mRNA was ubiquitous; however, only rare MUC1 immunoreactivity was detected. MUC3, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6 mRNA were present in all gallbladder specimens and cell lines examined. Prominent MUC3, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6 immunoreactivity was present in 86–100% of normal gallbladders. The frequency of MUC5AC reactivity was decreased in specimens with acute cholecystitis (P < 0.05). In contrast, MUC2-reactivity was absent in normal gallbladder and present in 53.8% of acute cholecystitis specimens (P < 0.05). Surface epithelium is characterized by MUC3, MUC5AC, and MUC5B, whereas deeper mucosal folds display MUC5B and MUC6 immunoreactivity. Gallbladder epithelium demonstrates a unique and diverse pattern of mucin core proteins that becomes altered with increasing degrees of inflammation.     

Characterization of mucin in the hepatic bile of patients with intrahepatic pigment stones

To investigate the relationship between biliary mucin and ductular stone formation, mucin was isolated from hepatic bile using gel filtration on Sepharose CL-4B. The bile was obtained from 14 patients with stones in various sites of the biliary tract. The hexose content in the excluded fraction was significantly higher in patients with intrahepatic ductular stones (68.7 +/- 20.5 micrograms/mL; mean +/- s.d.) than in those with gall-bladder stones or extrahepatic ductular stones (23.8 +/- 8.1 micrograms/mL, 33.3 +/- 9.5 micrograms/mL; P less than 0.05), suggesting a higher concentration of mucin in the bile of patients with intrahepatic ductular stones. Ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel showed that most mucin from each material was negatively charged and electrophoretic studies indicated that it was composed mainly of high molecular weight (greater than 10(6)), sulfated glycoprotein. These results suggested that the mucin content of hepatic bile might have an important relation to the development of intrahepatic ductular stones.     

Inhibition of gastric mucin synthesis by Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mucins are high-molecular-weight glycoproteins that protect the gastric epithelium. Previous data suggested that gastric surface-type mucin is decreased in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients and restored after eradication of the infection. Our aim was to determine the effect of H. pylori on mucin synthesis in cultured gastric epithelial cells. METHODS: Mucin synthesis was measured by labeling with [(3)H]glucosamine and size-exclusion chromatography. Expression of MUC5AC and MUC1 mucin protein antigens was quantitated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Mucin synthesis was inhibited more than 80% when KATO III cells were incubated with H. pylori, with no effect on mucin secretion or degradation. Inhibition was rapid (4 hours), partially reversible, dependent on concentration of bacteria, and associated with the insoluble membrane fraction. H. pylori decreased levels of MUC5AC and MUC1 mucins. MUC1 inhibition was half-maximal by 4 hours and partially reversed by 24 hours, but the decrease in MUC5AC was less rapid and not reversible within 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori inhibits total mucin synthesis in vitro and decreases the expression of MUC5AC and MUC1. A decrease in gastric mucin synthesis in vivo may disrupt the protective surface mucin layer.     

内生多肽Elafin对气道黏蛋白5AC表达的影响

目的 探讨内生多肽Elafin调节气道黏液高分泌的分子机制.方法 构建人 Elafin 重组质粒,原代培养正常人支气管上皮细胞 HBE16,分为对照组、香烟抽提物(CSE)刺激组、CSE 刺激+转染重组质粒、CSE 刺激+空质粒组、单纯转染重组质粒以及空质粒组6组.四甲基偶氮唑盐法检测各组细胞活力,Western blot法检测p-JNK、p-ERK、p-P38和IκBα蛋白含量,荧光素酶报告基因系统测定激活蛋白-1(AP-1)及核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)活性,RT-PCR检测各组黏蛋白(MUC)5AC mRNA 表达水平,ELISA 法分析各组细胞 MUC5AC 蛋白的相对含量.结果 CSE刺激组的p-JNK、p-ERK、p-c-Jun、IκBα、AP-1、NF-κB、MUC5AC和MUC5AC mRNA 含量分别为(0.55±0.03)μg/mg、(0.64±0.06)μg/mg、(0.60±0.07)μg/mg、(0.27±0.03)μg/mg、7.49±0.31、4.42±0.22、(0.71±0.04)mg/L和0.81±0.04,与对照组的(0.26±0.02)μg/mg、(0.30±0.05)μg/mg、(0.19±0.04)μg/mg(0.61±0.04)μg/mg、2.54±0.22、2.37±0.16、(0.23±0.02)mg/L和0.32±0.03比较差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).转染重组Elafin后再给予CSE刺激,p-JNK、p-ERK、p-c-Jun、IκBα、AP-1、NF-κB、MUC5AC和MUC5AC mRNA含量分别为(0.38±0.04)μg/mg、(0.31±0.04)μg/mg、(0.14±0.03)μg/mg、(0.54±0.03)μg/mg、2.60±0.19、2.55±0.21、(0.28±0.03)mg/L、0.35±0.05,与CSE组相比差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05);p-P38蛋白含量在CSE刺激及转染Elafin前后无明显变化.结论 内生多肽Elafin可降低JNK和ERK磷酸化水平并抑制IκBα蛋白降解,从而降低转录激活蛋白-1和核因子-κB的活性,下调黏蛋白5AC的高表达,而p38MAPK在其中的作用并不明显.     

Isolation of mucin from human hepatic bile and its induced effects on precipitation of cholesterol and calcium carbonatein vitro

biliary mucin was isolated from human hepatic bile, and its induced effects on the appearance time of cholesterol monohydrate crystals (nucleation time) and on the precipitation of calcium carbonate were studiedin vitro to examine the possible significance of mucin for ductular gallstone formation. Mucin was isolated by gel filtration on Sepharose CL-4B and a subsequent CsCl density gradient ultracentrifugation. Mucin thus obtained had a high purity as shown by a high-molecular-weight band on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by the compatible amino acid composition with mucin purified from the gallbladder. The mucin at as low a concentration as 100 g/ml significantly shortened the cholesterol nucleation time in the supersaturated model bile, mimicking human hepatic bile. On the other hand, the addition of mucin inhibited calcium carbonate precipitationin vitro. Taking account of that both cholesterol and calcium salts are major constituents of ductular gallstones, we conclude that biliary mucin is likely to play an important regulating role in the formation of ductular stones.     

Significance of mucin expression in pancreatobiliary neoplasms

Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins that play important roles in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion. We have described, for the first time, that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) with an aggressive behavior and a poor outcome expressed MUC1 (pan-epithelial membrane-associated mucin) but did not express MUC2 (intestinal-type secreted mucin), whereas intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) with indolent behavior and a favorable outcome did not express MUC1 but did express MUC2. These expression profiles of MUC1 and MUC2 related to the prognoses of the patients were also observed in biliary neoplasms such as intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC)-mass-forming type (MF), mucin-producing bile duct tumor (MPBT), and extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma (EHBDC). We also found recently that high expression of MUC4 (tracheobronchial membrane-associated mucin) in PDACs, ICCs-MF, and EHBDCs was a new independent poor prognostic factor, although MUC4 was not expressed in normal pancreatobiliary tissue. High de novo expression of MUC5AC (gastric-type secreted mucin) was observed in many types of pancreatobiliary neoplasms, including all grades of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (BilIN), and all types of IPMNs and MPBTs, as well as PDACs and ICCs-MF, although MUC5AC was not expressed in normal pancreatobiliary tissue. The combined status of MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, and MUC5AC expression may be useful for the early detection of pancreatobiliary neoplasms and evaluation of their malignancy. In regard to the mechanism of mucin expression, we have recently reported that MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, and MUC5AC gene expression is regulated by epigenetics (DNA methylation and histone H3 lysine 9 modification) in cancer cell lines, including PDAC cells. Translational research of mucin gene expression mechanisms, including epigenetics, in pancreatobiliary neoplasms may give us new tools for the early and accurate detection of these neoplasms.     

Aberrant expression of MUC5AC and MUC6 gastric mucins and sialyl Tn antigen in intraepithelial neoplasms of the pancreas

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It has recently been suggested that infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the pancreas arises from histologically well-defined precursor ductal lesions called pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN-1A, -1B, -2, and -3). This study examined alterations in the pattern and the level of expression of several mucin genes (MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6) and mucin-associated tumor antigens (Nd2 and sialyl Tn) in these precursor lesions. METHODS: We examined 139 PanINs and 68 infiltrating ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas by using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods. RESULTS: Overexpression of MUC1, a pan-epithelial mucin, and MUC6, a pyloric-gland mucin, and de novo expression of MUC5AC, a gastric foveolar mucin, was observed in all stages of PanINs and invasive ductal adenocarcinoma. In contrast, the expression of mucin-associated carbohydrate antigen, sialyl Tn, was markedly increased only in PanlN-3 and invasive ductal adenocarcinoma. In addition, a decrease in the expression of these mucin-associated peptide and carbohydrate antigens was correlated with the degree of differentiation of the tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of both gastric-foveolar and pyloric-gland mucin in PanINs is an early event, whereas sialyl Tn expression is a late event in the recently defined progression model of pancreatic carcinogenesis. This altered mucin gene expression provides new insight into the role of cell lineage-associated metaplasia in pancreatic carcinogenesis.     

Helicobacter pylori and gastric mucin expression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM: To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and mucin expression in gastric mucosa.METHODS: English Medical literature searches were conducted for gastric mucin expression in H. pylori infected people vs uninfected people. Searches were performed up to December 31^th 2014, using MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and CENTRAL. Studies comparing mucin expression in the gastric mucosa in patients positive and negative for H. pylori infection, were included. Meta-analysis was performed by using Comprehensive meta-analysis software (Version 3, Biostat Inc., Englewood, NJ, United States). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated compared mucin expression in individual studies by using the random effects model. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using the Cochran Q-test, and it was considered to be present if the Q-test P value was less than 0.10. I² statistic was used to measure the proportion of inconsistency in individual studies, with I² > 50% representing substantial heterogeneity. We also calculated a potential publication bias.RESULTS: Eleven studies, which represent 53 sub-studies of 15 different kinds of mucin expression, were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Every kind of mucin has been considered as one study. When a specific mucin has been studied in more than one paper, we combined the results in a nested meta-analysis of this particular mucin: MUC2, MUC6, STn, Paradoxical con A, Tn, T, Type 1 chain mucin, LeA, SLeA, LeB, AB-PAS, MUC1, and MUC5AC. The odds ratio of mucin expression in random analysis was 2.33, 95%CI: 1.230-4.411, P = 0.009, higher expression in H. pylori infected patients. Odds ratio for mucin expression in H. pylori positive patients was higher for MUC6 (9.244, 95%CI: 1.567-54.515, P = 0.014), and significantly lower for MUC5AC (0.447, 95%CI: 0.211-0.949, P = 0.036). Thus, H. pylori infection may increase MUC6 expression and decrease MUC5AC expression by 924% and 52%, respectively.CONCLUSION: H. pylori inhibits MUC5AC expression in the gastric epithelium, and facilitates colonization. In contrast, increased MUC6 expression may help inhibiting colonization, using MUC6 antibiotics properties.     

c-src/NADPH氧化酶1/活性氧对中性粒细胞弹力蛋白酶诱导气道黏蛋白5 AC表达的影响

目的 探讨中性粒细胞弹力蛋白酶(NE)诱导气道黏液高分泌的上游信号调节机制.方法 体外培养人气道BEAS-2B上皮细胞,将细胞分为空白对照组(不加任何刺激)、NE组(NE刺激)、NE+PP2组(NE刺激合并c-src抑制剂PP2)、NE+c-src siRNA组(NE刺激合并c-src siRNA)、NE+Noxl siRNA组[NE刺激合并NADPH氧化酶1(Nox1)siRNA]、阴件siRNA对照组(加入阴性对照siRNA)及NE+阴性siRNA组(NE刺激合并阴性对照siRNA)为干预条件.检测干预前后各组细胞巾活性氧含量、NoxI蛋白含量、黏蛋白5AC的蛋白及mRNA水平.用四甲基偶氮唑盐法测定各组细胞活性;活性氧试剂盒测定活性氧相对含量;逆转录PCR法检测各组黏蛋白5AC mRNA水平;ELISA法分析细胞黏蛋白5AC的蛋白相对含量;Western blot法检测Noxl蛋白及c-src蛋白的相对含量.结果 NE组细胞中Nox1蛋白相对含量为0.88±0.12,高于空白对照组的0.32±0.09(t=9.12.P=0.003);活性氧相对含量为0.76±0.09,高于空白对照组的0.18±0.02(t=9.44,P=0.003);黏蛋白5AC蛋白相对含量为0.82±0.09,基因转录水平为0.77±0.05,均高于空白对照组(分别为0.21±0.11和0.18±0.08,t值分别为7.75和6.13,P值分别为0.004和0.006).NE+c-src siRNA组细胞的Nox1蛋白相对含最(0.39±0.08)、活性氧相对含量(0.29±0.05)均低于NE组(t值分别为5.43和5.60,均P=0.007);黏蛋白5AC蛋白相对含量(0.38±0.09)及mRNA水平(0.41±0.04)低于NE组(t值分别为5.28和4.09,P值分别为0.008和0.034).NE+PP2组活性氧相对含量为0.41±0.11,Nox1蛋白相对含量为0.44±0.05,黏蛋白5AC蛋白及mRNA水平分别为0.48±0.08和0.46±0.07,均低于NE组(均P<0.05).NE+Noxl siRNA组中活性氧相对含量(0.19±0.06)、黏蛋白5AC蛋白相对含量(0.31±0.05)及mRNA水平(0.32±0.06)也低于NE组(均P<0.05).结论 c-src/Noxl参与了NE诱导的活性氧活化,是气道上皮细胞黏蛋白5AC合成及分泌的上游信号调节因子.     

白细胞介素-13对人支气管上皮细胞SPDEF表达的影响及SPDEF在哮喘气道黏液高分泌中的作用

目的探讨白细胞介素(IL)-13对人支气管上皮细胞SPDEF表达的影响及SPDEF在哮喘气道黏液高分泌中的作用。方法将人原代支气管上皮细胞(NHBE细胞)分为对照组、IL-13组及IL-13+SPDEF siRNA组。培养28天后,收集NHBE细胞并提取总RNA,采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测NHBE细胞SPDEF、粘蛋白MUC5AC及MUC5B mRNA的表达水平,流式细胞术检测MUC5AC阳性细胞数量和免疫荧光强度,免疫荧光染色检测粘蛋白MUC5AC和MUC5B的表达水平。结果IL-13组NHBE细胞SPDEF和MUC5AC mRNA的表达水平、MUC5AC阳性细胞数量和免疫荧光强度均明显高于对照组(P<0.001),而MUC5B mRNA的表达水平明显低于对照组(P<0.05);IL-13+SPDEF siRNA组NHBE细胞SPDEF和MUC5AC mRNA的表达水平、MUC5AC阳性细胞数量和免疫荧光强度均明显低于IL-13组(P<0.001);IL-13+SPDEF siRNA组MUC5B mRNA的表达水平明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。IL-13组NHBE细胞MUC5AC的表达水平明显高于对照组和IL-13+SPDEF siRNA组,而MUC5B的表达水平低于对照组。结论IL-13可能通过诱导人支气管上皮细胞SPDEF上调,促进气道粘蛋白MUC5AC的高表达,引起哮喘气道黏液高分泌。     

Distinctive expression of CD133 between intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct and bile duct adenocarcinomas

Aim: Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB), a novel entity of biliary disease, is recently advocated as the counterpart of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) because both are in common with a large amount of mucin production and papillary growth. Based on our recent finding that expression of CD133, a cancer stem cell marker, is lacking in pancreatic IPMN, we herein focused on CD133 expression of IPNB in comparison with intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (IHCCC) or hilar bile duct cancer (HBDC). Methods: Expression of CD133 protein was immunohistochemically determined in patients with IPNB (n = 7), IHCCC (n = 16) or HBDC (n = 8). In addition, morphological and immunohistochemical mucin expression patterns were characterized in IPNB, and clinicopathological features including prognosis were compared between IPNB and other biliary tumors. Results: The IPNB group included significantly more females than the other two groups, and had a longer survival time. While no CD133 expression was observed in IPNB tumor, 16.4% of cancer cells in IHCCC and 17.2% of cells in HBDC expressed CD133. Among seven patients with IPNB, six (86%) were morphologically the pancreatobiliary type and four of six showed mucin expression pattern of the typical pancreatobiliary type (MUC1+/MUC2‐/MUC5AC+). Conclusion: Loss of CD133 expression supports the hypothesis that IPNB is a counterpart of pancreatic IPMN with a differing carcinogenesis from conventional bile duct adenocarcinomas.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa induces MUC5AC production via epidermal growth factor receptor.

Hypersecretory disease associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infections is characterised by increased goblet cells and increased mucin production. Recently, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling cascade was shown to be a common pathway through which many stimuli induce mucin MUC5AC expression in airways by differentiation to a goblet cell phenotype. This study looked at whether PA products induce EGFR expression and activation and thus result in mucin MUC5AC production. Human airway epithelial (NCI-H292) cells were stimulated with PA culture supernatant (Sup). MUC5AC protein production, MUC5AC and EGFR messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression, and phosphorylated EGFR and phosphorylated p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were all examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, by in situ hybridisation and by immunoblotting. PA Sup induced MUC5AC mRNA and subsequent protein expression, EGFR and p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation and EGFR mRNA expression. Induction of MUC5AC mRNA and protein expression and EGFR and p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation were inhibited completely by pretreatment with a selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Pretreatment with a selective inhibitor of MAPK kinase prevented MUC5AC production and p44/42 MAPK phosphorylation but not EGFR phosphorylation. The authors conclude that PA products induce mucin MUC5AC production in human airway epithelial cells via the expression and activation of epidermal growth factor receptor.     

Mucin gene expression in gallbladder epithelium with black pigment stone ascertained by in situ hybridization

Black pigment stones are usually found in patients with liver cirrhosis or hemolytic disease. Mucoglycoproteins are present in a significant amount in black pigment stones and contribute to the matrix of gallstones. Epithelium of stone-containing gallbladders contains much more mucin than those without stones. In this study, we try to determine by in situ hybridization the mucin gene expression in black stone-containing gallbladders and try to find the diversity of mucin gene expression in gallbladders containing black pigment stones and those without stones. In situ hybridization with DIG-tailed oligonucleotides was performed on sections of paraffin-embedded tissues of gallbladders with black pigment stones (n = 10) and those without stones (n = 6) to identify the expression of MUC1, MUC2, MUC3, MUC4, MUC5B and MUC6 in gallbladder epithelium. The findings showed that (1) mRNA expression of MUC1, MUC3, MUC5B and MUC6 were found in all gallbladders with black pigment stones, while they were expressed in 33.3%, 83.3%, 83.3% and 66.7% respectively in those without stones. They were expressed more strongly and extensively in gallbladders with stones when compared to those without stones. (2) MUC2 and MUC4 labeling were absent in gallbladders without stones, while they were present in 20% and 60% of gallbladders with black pigment stones, respectively. We conclude that MUC3, MUC5B and MUC6 were the main mucin gene expression in either gallbladder with or without stones. Altered mucin gene expression occurred in gallbladders with black pigment stones, such as the presence of MUC2 and MUC4 and increased expression of MUC1, MUC3, MUC5B and MUC6 in black stone-containing gallbladders. The higher incidence and stronger labeling intensity of mucin gene expression of MUC2, MUC3, MUC5B and MUC6 in black stone-containing gallbladder may reflect abundant mucin content in these gallbladders. Increased expression of MUC2 and MUC4 in black stone-containing gallbladder epithelium indicated that intestinal metaplasia and altered mucin genes could occur in diseased gallbladders.     

Evaluation of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and mucin expression in normal pancreata

Background/purpose

It has been suggested that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) are closely related, but several reports indicate PanIN lesions can also be found in normal pancreata (normal PanINs). We examined differences in mucin expression between normal PanIN lesions and PanINs in PDACs (PDAC PanINs).

Methods

We examined 54 autopsied normal pancreata and eight autopsied PDACs for PanIN lesions; graded the pancreata specimens as PanIN-1A (non-papillary hyperplasia), PanIN-1B (papillary hyperplasia), PanIN-2 (atypical hyperplasia) or PanIN-3 (carcinoma in situ); and tested the PanIN lesions for expression of MUC1 (pan-epithelial membrane-associated mucin) and MUC5AC (gastric secretory mucin) which were both previously detected in PDACs.

Results

In normal PanIN-1A, PanIN-1B and PanIN-2 specimens, MUC1 was expressed in 2.8, 10.5 and 9.1%, respectively, compared to 19.1, 27.6 and 13.0% in PDAC PanIN-1A, PanIN-1B and PanIN-2 specimens, respectively. MUC5AC was expressed in 41.0, 65.7 and 36.4% of normal PanIN-1A, PanIN-1B and PanIN-2 specimens, respectively, and in 80.9, 75.8 and 78.3% of PDAC PanIN-1A, PanIN-1B and PanIN-2 specimens, respectively. Differences in the frequency of MUC1 expression were significant between normal and PDAC PanIN-1A (p?<?0.0001) and PanIN-1B (p?<?0.05); and differences in the frequency of MUC5AC expression were significant between normal and PDAC PanIN-1A (p?<?0.0001) and PanIN-2 (p?<?0.05).

Conclusions

Normal PanIN and PDAC PanIN lesions differed in the rates of MUC1 and MUC5AC expression.