Mucin genes in horse airways: MUC5AC, but not MUC2, may play a role in recurrent airway obstruction.
Abstract: 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. Objective: 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. Conclusions: EqMUC5AC up-regulation may be a primary mechanism responsible for mucus hypersecretion and accumulation in RAO.
Publication Date: 2003-05-21 PubMed ID: 12755427DOI: 10.2746/042516403776148291Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research article investigates the role of mucin genes in horses experiencing Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO). The study suggests that an increase in MUC5AC gene may contribute to mucus accumulation in the airways of horses suffering from RAO.
Introduction and Objectives
- The researchers aimed to identify homologues (biological counterparts in a different species) of gel-forming mucins in horses and study their expression in healthy and RAO-affected horses.
- RAO, a chronic respiratory disease, often results in mucus build-up in the airways, and prior to this research, there were no known mucin gene sequences available for horsess.
Methods
- The researchers identified two equine homologues – eqMUC5AC and eqMUC2 – by cloning and sequencing fragments of these mucin genes.
- Semiquantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), a technique used to measure mRNA levels, was performed on RNA from different parts of the horse’s body, including its airways, stomach, and colon.
Results
- The eqMUC5AC gene was found to be expressed in both the horse’s stomach and all its airway samples, suggesting its potential role in recurrent airway obstructions.
- In contrast, the eqMUC2 gene expression was primarily detected in the colon, faintly in the stomach, and not at all in the airway tissue, suggesting it likely has no physiological impact on RAO.
- Furthermore, the ratio of eqMUC5AC to ZO-1 (a tight junction protein) was higher in RAO-affected horses as compared to control horses across all the airway generations, further suggesting the role of eqMUC5AC gene in mucus overproduction.
Conclusions
- The discovery of eqMUC5AC expression in horse airways implies that it might be a crucial factor involved in recurrent airway obstructions. Any expression of MUC2 in the airways is undetectable and therefore, likely of no physiological consequence to RAO in horses.
- The observed up-regulation of eqMUC5AC could primarily be accountable for excess mucus production and accumulation in RAO. This provides a potential explanation for mucus accumulation observed in RAO-affected horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Gerber V, Robinson NE, Venta RJ, Rawson J, Jefcoat AM, Hotchkiss JA.
(2003).
Mucin genes in horse airways: MUC5AC, but not MUC2, may play a role in recurrent airway obstruction.
Equine Vet J, 35(3), 252-257.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516403776148291 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1314, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Airway Obstruction / etiology
- Airway Obstruction / metabolism
- Airway Obstruction / veterinary
- Animals
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Lung / metabolism
- Male
- Mucin 5AC
- Mucin-2
- Mucins / genetics
- Mucins / metabolism
- Mucus / metabolism
- RNA, Messenger / metabolism
- Recurrence
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
- Trachea / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Simões J, Batista M, Tilley P. The Immune Mechanisms of Severe Equine Asthma-Current Understanding and What Is Missing.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Mar 16;12(6).
- Karagianni AE, Kurian D, Cillán-Garcia E, Eaton SL, Wishart TM, Pirie RS. Training associated alterations in equine respiratory immunity using a multiomics comparative approach.. Sci Rep 2022 Jan 10;12(1):427.
- Raudsepp T, Finno CJ, Bellone RR, Petersen JL. Ten years of the horse reference genome: insights into equine biology, domestication and population dynamics in the post-genome era.. Anim Genet 2019 Dec;50(6):569-597.
- Klier J, Bartl C, Geuder S, Geh KJ, Reese S, Goehring LS, Winter G, Gehlen H. Immunomodulatory asthma therapy in the equine animal model: A dose-response study and evaluation of a long-term effect.. Immun Inflamm Dis 2019 Sep;7(3):130-149.
- Barton AK, Gehlen H. Pulmonary Remodeling in Equine Asthma: What Do We Know about Mediators of Inflammation in the Horse?. Mediators Inflamm 2016;2016:5693205.
- Rousseau K, Cardwell JM, Humphrey E, Newton R, Knight D, Clegg P, Thornton DJ. Muc5b is the major polymeric mucin in mucus from thoroughbred horses with and without airway mucus accumulation.. PLoS One 2011;6(5):e19678.
- Wålinder R, Riihimäki M, Bohlin S, Hogstedt C, Nordquist T, Raine A, Pringle J, Elfman L. Installation of mechanical ventilation in a horse stable: effects on air quality and human and equine airways.. Environ Health Prev Med 2011 Jul;16(4):264-72.
- Schwab UE, Fulcher ML, Randell SH, Flaminio MJ, Russell DG. Equine bronchial epithelial cells differentiate into ciliated and mucus producing cells in vitro.. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2010 Feb;46(2):102-6.
- Riihimäki M, Raine A, Elfman L, Pringle J. Markers of respiratory inflammation in horses in relation to seasonal changes in air quality in a conventional racing stable.. Can J Vet Res 2008 Oct;72(5):432-9.
- Patel AC, Brett TJ, Holtzman MJ. The role of CLCA proteins in inflammatory airway disease.. Annu Rev Physiol 2009;71:425-49.
- Riihimäki M, Raine A, Pourazar J, Sandström T, Art T, Lekeux P, Couëtil L, Pringle J. Epithelial expression of mRNA and protein for IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha in endobronchial biopsies in horses with recurrent airway obstruction.. BMC Vet Res 2008 Feb 23;4:8.
- Chorley BN, Crews AL, Li Y, Adler KB, Minnicozzi M, Martin LD. Differential Muc2 and M얬 secretion by stimulated guinea pig tracheal epithelial cells in vitro.. Respir Res 2006 Feb 25;7(1):35.
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