Medizinische Universität Graz - Research portal
Selected Publication:
SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb
Groiss, S; Somvilla, I; Daxböck, C; Fuchs, J; Lang-Olip, I; Stiegler, P; Leber, B; Liegl-Atzwanger, B; Brislinger, D.
Quantification of increased MUC5AC expression in airway mucus of smoker using an automated image-based approach.
Microsc Res Tech. 2022; 85(1):5-18
Doi: 10.1002/jemt.23879
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- Leading authors Med Uni Graz
- Brislinger Dagmar
- Groiss Silvia
- Co-authors Med Uni Graz
- Daxboeck Christine
- Fuchs Julia
- Lang-Olip Ingrid
- Leber Bettina
- Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette
- Stiegler Philipp
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- Abstract:
- Microscopic analysis of mucus quantity and composition is crucial in research and diagnostics on muco-obstructive diseases. Currently used image-based methods are unable to extract concrete numeric values of mucosal proteins, especially on the expression of the key mucosal proteins MUC5AC and MUC5B. Since their levels increase under pathologic conditions such as extensive exposure to cigarette smoke, it is imperative to quantify them to improve treatment strategies of pulmonary diseases. This study presents a simple, image-based, and high-processing computational method that allows determining the ratio of MUC5AC and MUC5B within the overall airway mucus while providing information on their spatial distribution. The presented pipeline was optimized for automated downstream analysis using a combination of bright field and immunofluorescence imaging suitable for tracheal and bronchial tissue samples, and air-liquid interface (ALI) cell cultures. To validate our approach, we compared tracheal tissue and ALI cell cultures of isolated primary normal human bronchial epithelial cells derived from smokers and nonsmokers. Our data indicated 18-fold higher levels of MUC5AC in submucosal glands of smokers covering about 8% of mucosal areas compared to <1% in nonsmoking individuals, confirming results of previous studies. We further identified a subpopulation of nonsmokers with slightly elevated glandular MUC5AC levels suggesting moderate exposure to second-hand smoke or fine particulate air pollution. Overall, this study demonstrates a novel, user-friendly and freely available tool for digital pathology and the analysis of therapeutic interventions tested in ALI cell cultures.
- Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
- Epithelial Cells - administration & dosage
- Humans - administration & dosage
- Mucin 5AC - genetics
- Mucin-5B - administration & dosage
- Mucus - administration & dosage
- Smokers - administration & dosage
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- air-liquid interface
- automated quantification
- cell profiler
- image-based quantification
- MUC5B
- mucin
- smoking