Mucus production in dust mite-related asthma explained

In addressing the cause of excessive mucus production there is clinical evidence that environmental stimuli from allergens (such as from house dust mites), viruses and cigarette smoke, can lead to immune cell production of IL 13. IL13 is a cytokine secreted by many cell types and known as the critical driver for mucus production. Recent research reports that excessive mucus is most probably due to increased biosynthesis and secretion of mucins, which are the major macromolecular constituents of airway mucus. Control of the increase of mucins is a target for research, however, the molecular signalling that begins the cascade of events towards excessive mucus production in the airways has previously been poorly defined.

Now in 2012, a breakthrough has been made. Experimental research describes evidence of an epithelial pathway {calcium-activated chloride channel (ClCA) genes} that, in the scientists' word, 'may fulfil a critical role for the development of mucous cell metaplasia'. In asthma, mucous cell metaplasia is responsible for the transformation of normal airway mucosa into a thickening mucosa with a high density of airway goblet cell population. Goblet cells hold mucus and are an essential part of airway cell population, but with an overabundance, or in the wrong place, goblet cells can cause excessive mucus.

The authors of this paper not only describe a new pathway by reporting; 'Here, we define a signalling pathway from chloride channel calcium-activated 1 (CICA1) to MAPK13 that is responsible for IL13 - driven mucus production in human epithelial cells', but they also give hope for a remedy to millions of patients who suffer from asthma, COPD, or other inflammatory airway diseases that result in excessive mucus production.