In a healthy human, the airway mucus forms a thin, protective liquid layer covering the surface of the respiratory tract. It comprises a complex blend of mucin, multiple antibacterial proteins, metabolic substances, water, and electrolytes. This mucus plays a pivotal role in the lungs' innate immune system by maintaining airway hydration and capturing airborne particles and pathogens. However, heightened mucus secretion in the airway can compromise ciliary clearance, obstruct the respiratory tract, and increase the risk of pathogen colonization and recurrent infections. Consequently, a thorough exploration of the mechanisms driving excessive airway mucus secretion is crucial for establishing a theoretical foundation for the eventual development of targeted drugs designed to reduce mucus production. Across a range of lung diseases, excessive airway mucus secretion manifests with unique characteristics and regulatory mechanisms, all intricately linked to mucin. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms associated with excessive airway mucus secretion in several prevalent lung diseases.
Humans ; Mucus/metabolism* ; Mucins/physiology* ; Lung Diseases/metabolism* ; Respiratory Mucosa/metabolism* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Asthma/physiopathology* ; Cystic Fibrosis/physiopathology* ; Mucociliary Clearance/physiology*

Submucosal glands produce most of nasal mucous secretion which play an important role in airflow hydration, mucociliary transport, innate immunity and antimicrobial defense. However, excessive mucus secretion is related with pathophysiologic characteristics in several chronic inflammatory diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis. This review details the anatomy, physiology of submucosal gland in nose and summarized pathophysiologic relationship between the submucosal gland and nasal diseases.
Immunity, Innate ; Mucociliary Clearance ; Mucus ; Nose Diseases ; Nose* ; Physiology ; Rhinitis

Humans ; Mucociliary Clearance ; Nasal Mucosa ; physiology

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of excising partial inferior turbinectomy with powered sinus clissector (HUMMER) and microwave on nasal mucociliary clearance system, and offer the theoretical foundation to choose rational operational technique. METHOD: The patients of HUMMER group were excised partial inferior turbinectomies with HUMMER and the microwave group with microwave, each group included 20 patients. Ten patients without nasal disease were selected as control. Every case was drawn nasal mucus of inferior turbinectomy preoperatively, three months and six months after surgery. Five control cases selected randomly were drawn specimens. The specimens were observed under light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Every case accepted saccharin test before the specimen was drawn. All data were analyzed with paired sample t-test and analysis of variance. RESULT: (1) Saccharin test: MTR(mucociliary transport rate)for before surgery, three months after surgery and six months after surgery with HUMMER were (3.63+/-0.57) ,(3. 76+/-0.43) and (6. 09+/-1. 19)mm/min, respectively. MTR for six months after surgery significantly increased compared with that before surgery and three months after surgery(both P <0. 01). MTR for three months after surgery and six months after surgery with microwave were (3. 96+/-0. 40)and (3. 95+/-0. 32)mm/min,respectively. MTR for three months and six months after surgery both significantly increased compared with that of controls (both P <0. 01). MTR for six months after surgery with microwave significantly increased compared with that with HUMMER ( P <0. 01). (2) Observation of Light microscope and scanning electron microscope: Before surgery with HUMMER and with microwave, goblet cells increased in nasal mucous epithelial of patients. The cilia changes included fracture, disorder, deletion and confluence. Thickness and size of cilia were not coincident. Partial nasal mucous epithelial metaplasis from pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium to simple cuboidal epithelium. Nasal mucous epithelia regenerated to pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium after surgery with HUMMER, which mainly coincided with normal nasal mucociliary system. Nasal mucociliary epithelial regenerated little after surgery with microwave. There were squamous epithelial metaplasia on nasal mucus and serious deletion of cilia. CONCLUSION The surgery of excising partial inferior turbinectomy with HUMMER has obvious advantage in protecting and recovering physiological function of nasal cavity.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Microwaves ; Middle Aged ; Mucociliary Clearance ; physiology ; Nasal Mucosa ; physiology ; surgery ; Paranasal Sinuses ; surgery ; Turbinates ; surgery ; Young Adult

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mucociliary Clearance ; Nasal Mucosa ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Radioimmunoassay ; Radioisotopes ; Radionuclide Imaging