gel-forming mucins

MUC2 and MUC5AC represent a subset of gel-forming mucins: the former is an intestinal-type secretory mucin mainly expressed in goblet cells of normal bowel and in intestinal adenocarcinoma, but also in intestinal metaplasia, whereas the latter is mainly observed in surface mucous cells of the gastric mucosa and respiratory epithelium.

Interestingly, a significant association is reported between MUC2 and CDX2 expression. Finally, the expression of gel-forming mucins, such as MUC2, seems to be a marker of favorable behavior in patients with pancreatic and mammary MC.

MUC2 expression, even if with low level, has been also previously reported in a subset of in goblet cell-type mucin-producing adenocarcinoma of the lung. By contrast, MUC5AC expression in lung cancer has been reported as a marker of poor outcome or in association with mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (m-BAC).

See also

 mucins (MUCs)