Mucin5B is expressed in alveolar macrophages in long-term smokers who have developed smoking associated lung diseases.

This study investigated the expression of MUC5B by AMs in the lungs of cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. We analyzed MUC5B expression by measuring the levels of apomucin and mRNA in human BALF cells from 50 subjects (20 nonsmokers, 17 patients with CB, and 13 patients with COPD). apoMUC5B was observed in BALF mononuclear cells in 60% of all subjects, but a significantly higher frequency of apoMUC5B⁺ cells was found in subjects with CB (95% CI, 4.5–24.9) or COPD (95% CI, 6.2–39.6) than in nonsmokers (95% CI, 0.5-2.5). apoMUC5B⁺ mononuclear cells showed strong expression of CD163, confirming their identity as AMs. MUC5B mRNA expression was detected by ISH in AMs of subjects investigated, and real-time qPCR analysis confirmed MUC5B mRNA expression. In conclusion, MUC5B is expressed in a subset of lung AMs and long-term cigarette smoking may increase the level of MUC5B produced by these cells.