%0 Journal Article
%T Mucin-Related Molecular Responses of Bronchial Epithelial Cells in Rats Infected with the Nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis
%A Koichi Soga
%A Minoru Yamada
%A Yuji Naito
%A Toshikazu Yoshikawa
%A Naoki Arizono
%J ISRN Parasitology
%D 2013
%R 10.5402/2013/804585
%X Although mucins are essential for the protection of internal epithelial surfaces, molecular responses involving mucin production and secretion in response to various infectious agents in the airway have not been fully elucidated. The present study analysed airway goblet cell mucins in rats infected with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, which migrates to the lungs shortly after infection. Goblet cell hyperplasia occurred in the bronchial epithelium 3¨C10 days after infection. The high iron diamine-alcian blue staining combined with neuraminidase treatment showed that sialomucin is the major mucin in hyperplastic goblet cells. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that goblet cell mucins were immunoreactive with both the major airway mucin core peptide, Muc5AC, and the major intestinal mucin core peptide Muc2. Reverse transcription real-time PCR studies demonstrated upregulation of gene transcription levels of Muc5AC, Muc2, the sialyltransferase St3gal4, and the resistin-like molecule beta (Retnlb) in the lungs. These results showed that nematode infection induces airway epithelial responses characterised by the production of sialomucin with Muc5AC and Muc2 core peptides. These mucins, as well as Retnlb, might have important roles in the protection of mucosa from migrating nematodes in the airway. 1. Introduction Parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes are one of the most commonly acquired infections in the world, affecting approximately one-quarter of the human population [1]. Parasitic helminths also place a considerable constraint upon the livestock industry, representing a major economic burden; one recent estimate suggested that ¡ê1.7 billion is spent annually on their control [2]. Although they cause relatively little mortality, infections result in high levels of morbidity that can result in developmental consequences in infected children [3] and cause significant economic loss in infected animals [2]. The morbidity induced by these infections is thought to be mediated through a combination of effects on both the nutrition and immunological responses of the host [3]. Certain intestinal nematodes, such as Ascaris, hookworms, and Strongyloides, migrate to the lungs before homing to their final habitat, the small intestine. Although some patients develop lung migration-associated symptoms, such as asthmatic cough, peripheral blood eosinophilia, and urticaria, which are collectively classified as pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia (PIE) syndrome, the majority of patients are asymptomatic when the larval nematodes pass through the airways,
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.parasitology/2013/804585/