[HTML][HTML] Molecular organization of the mucins and glycocalyx underlying mucus transport over mucosal surfaces of the airways

M Kesimer, C Ehre, KA Burns, CW Davis… - Mucosal …, 2013 - Elsevier
Mucus, with its burden of inspired particulates and pathogens, is cleared from mucosal
surfaces of the airways by cilia beating within the periciliary layer (PCL). The PCL is held to
be “watery” and free of mucus by thixotropic-like forces arising from beating cilia. With radii
of gyration∼ 250 nm, however, polymeric mucins should reptate readily into the PCL, so we
assessed the glycocalyx for barrier functions. The PCL stained negative for MUC5AC and
MUC5B, but it was positive for keratan sulfate (KS), a glycosaminoglycan commonly …