DIFFERENTIATION OF MUC1 AND MUC5AC MUCIN EXPRESSION IN PALATINE TONSIL TISSUE IN CHRONIC TONSILLITIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37219/c42w7s64Keywords:
chronic tonsillitis, palatine tonsils, MUC1, MUC5AC, mucins, Western blotting, biomarkersAbstract
Aim: To investigate the expression patterns of MUC1 and MUC5AC mucins in palatine tonsil tissue in chronic tonsillitis and assess their potential as biomarkers of disease activity.
Materials and methods: Palatine tonsil tissue samples obtained during tonsillectomy from 31 patients with chronic tonsillitis (compensated form – DG1, n=12; decompensated form – DG2, n=19) and 29 control subjects (CG n=19, CG2 n=10) were examined. Mucin expression was determined by Western blotting followed by densitometry, normalized to β-actin (arbitrary units, a.u.).
Results: Gel-forming MUC5AC expression was significantly elevated in both tonsillitis groups compared to controls (DG1: 6.83 ± 2.14; DG2: 9.67 ± 2.41; controls: 2.18–2.94; p < 0.001). Transmembrane MUC1 showed a biphasic pattern: 70–90% increase in the compensated form and 38–42% decrease in the decompensated form (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Elevated MUC5AC expression indicates mucus hypersecretion and impaired mucociliary clearance. Differentiated MUC1 changes reflect distinct disease phenotypes. MUC5AC holds promise as a biomarker of inflammatory activity in chronic tonsillitis.
References
1. Chatterjee M, van Putten JPM, Strijbis K. Defensive Properties of Mucin Glycoproteins during Respiratory Infections – Relevance for SARS-CoV-2. mBio. 2020 Nov 12;11(6):e02374-20. doi: 10.1128/mBio.02374-20.
2. Esin Ozkan, Livengood SS, Ford AA, Macdonald JK, Samir S, Klevans IW, Kesimer M. Analytical validation of total mucin concentration assay using SEC MALLS dRI for diagnosing and monitoring mucoobstructive lung diseases. Sci Rep. 2025 Dec;15(1):1. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-51234-5.
3. Hanif T, Ivaska LE, Ahmad F, Tan G, Mikola E, Puhakka T, Palomares O, Akdis CA, Toppila-Salmi S, Jartti T. Tonsillar transcriptional profiles in atopic and non-atopic subjects. Allergy. 2023 Feb;78(2):522-536. doi: 10.1111/all.15458.
4. Kato K, Chang EH, Chen Y, Lu W, Kim MM, Niihori M, Hecker L, Kim KC. MUC1 contributes to goblet cell metaplasia and MUC5AC expression in response to cigarette smoke in vivo. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2020 Jul 1;319(1):L82-L90. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00049.2019.
5. Li Y. The expression of MUC5AC in patients with rhinosinusitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Transl Allergy. 2024 Nov;14(11):e70003. doi: 10.1002/clt2.70003.
6. Lu W, Liu X, Wang T, Liu F, Zhu A, Lin Y, Luo J, Ye F, He J, Zhao J, Li Y, Zhong N. Elevated MUC1 and MUC5AC mucin protein levels in airway mucus of critically ill COVID-19 patients. J Med Virol. 2021 Feb;93(2):582-584. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26406.
7. Roe T, Talbot T, Terrington I, et al. Physiology and pathophysiology of mucus and mucolytic use in critically ill patients. Crit Care. 2025 Dec;29(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s13054-025-05286-x.
8. Shah SA, Ishinaga H, Takeuchi K. Distinct Secretion of MUC5AC and MUC5B in Upper and Lower Chronic Airway Diseases. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2022 Jan 25;10(F):215-23. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.8060.
9. Voynow JA. What does mucin have to do with lung disease? Paediatr Respir Rev. 2002 Jun;3(2):98-103. doi: 10.1016/s1526-0550(02)00007-0.
10. Yiyang Chen, Zhenghong Liu, Bin Zheng, Chenkai Wang, Xintao Hua, Pu Zhang, Dahong Zhang. The enhanced surface permeability and retention effect of topically administrated nanoparticles. J Drug Target. 2025 Dec;33(0):1-12. doi: 10.1080/1061186X.2025.2304567.