Changes in mucin 1 expression in a rat model of allergic airway inflammation.

PURPOSE: To explore the distribution and expressional changes of mucin 1 (Muc1) in airway of rats with allergic airway inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to induce acute allergic inflammation in male Wistar rats. The distributions and expressions of Muc1 in lungs of normal and model rats were assessed by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting, respectively.

RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining showed that Muc1 distributed in airway epithelial cells with ciliates, but not those nonciliated cells. Mucin 1 protein expression in the lung was increased during the development of allergic airway inflammation when compared with the normal rats.

CONCLUSION: Mucin 1 distributes in the airway epithelial cells with ciliates and the expressional increase of Muc1 in lung may imply its functions on allergic inflammatory episodes.