Accordingly, knowledge of MUC5B structure and its interactions with itself and other proteins is critical to better understand airway mucus biology and improve the management of lung diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The absolute concentrations of MUC5B and MUC5AC in current or former smokers with severe COPD were approximately 3 times as high and 10 times as high, respectively, as in controls who had never smoked.
Goblet cell hyperplasia and submucosal gland hypertrophy are shared with other hypersecretory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; however, some features are different, including mucus plugging, mucus "tethering" to goblet cells, plasma exudation, and increased amounts of a low charge glycoform of mucin (MUC)5B and the presence of MUC2 in secretions.