Technologies

Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins that are found in epithelial mucous secretions, which play an important role in protecting the epithelial cell layer by trapping particulates and microorganisms from the environment. Mucins are major components that are responsible for the viscoelastic property of mucous secretions. Elevated mucin production and accumulation in conducting airways is frequently associated with various diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed mucin-specific monoclonal antibodies that recognize epitopes found in mucus secretory granules of human and monkey airway surface epithelium and in purified high molecular weight mucin. In addition, the UC Davis researchers have developed a double sandwich ELISA method based on these antibodies for the quantitation of mucin.

Mucin-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies