Mucin genes in horse airways: MUC5AC, but not MUC2, may play a role in recurrent airway obstruction

Summary Reasons for performing study: Increased mucin gene expression may be an important cause of mucus accumulation observed in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)‐affected horses. To date, however, no mucin gene sequences are available for the horse. Objectives: To identify equine homologues of ge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Equine veterinary journal 2003-05, Vol.35 (3), p.252-257
Main Authors: GERBER, V., ROBINSON, N. E., VENTA, P. J., RAWSON, J., JEFCOAT, A. M., HOTCHKISS, J. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airway Obstruction - etiology
Airway Obstruction - metabolism
Airway Obstruction - veterinary
Animals
COPD
Female
Gene Expression
horse
Horse Diseases - metabolism
Horses
hypersecretion
Lung - metabolism
Male
mucin
Mucin 5AC
Mucin-2
Mucins - genetics
Mucins - metabolism
mucus
Mucus - metabolism
RAO
Recurrence
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
Trachea - metabolism
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Summary:Summary Reasons for performing study: Increased mucin gene expression may be an important cause of mucus accumulation observed in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)‐affected horses. To date, however, no mucin gene sequences are available for the horse. Objectives: To identify equine homologues of gel‐forming mucins and investigate their expression at different airway generations of healthy and RAO‐affected horses. Methods: Two equine homologues were identified by cloning and sequencing fragments of equine (eq)MUC5AC and eqMUC2. Results: Semiquantitative RT‐PCR on RNA from airways (generations 1, 5, 10, 15; small airways and parenchyma), stomach (glandular), and colon revealed that eqMUC5AC is expressed in equine stomach and in all of the airway samples. In contrast, eqMUC2 steady‐state mRNA levels were detected in colon and very faintly in stomach, but not in airway tissue. EqMUC5AC expression was also compared to that of ZO‐1, a tight junction protein, and eqMUC5AC/ZO‐1 ratios were higher in RAO‐affected compared to control horses at all airway generations. Conclusions: That eqMUC5AC is expressed in horse airways, but any expression of MUC2 is undetectable and unlikely to be of physiological consequence. Potential relevance: EqMUC5AC up‐regulation may be a primary mechanism responsible for mucus hypersecretion and accumulation in RAO.
ISSN:0425-1644
2042-3306
DOI:10.2746/042516403776148291