The mucus clearance system is the dominant mechanical host defense system of the human
lung. Mucus is cleared from the lung by cilia and airflow, including both two-phase gas-liquid …

Polymer networks are complex systems consisting of molecular components. Whereas the
properties of the individual components are typically well understood by most chemists …

How SARS-CoV-2 penetrates the airway barrier of mucus and periciliary mucins to infect
nasal epithelium remains unclear. Using primary nasal epithelial organoid cultures, we …

With the constant threat of emergence of a novel influenza virus pandemic, there must be
continued evaluation of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to virulence. Although the …

Muco-obstructive lung diseases are typically associated with high risks of COVID-19
severity; however, allergic asthma showed reduced susceptibility. To investigate viral …

Curved membranes are key features of intracellular organelles, and their generation
involves dynamic protein complexes. Here we describe the fundamental mechanisms such …

Generating the barriers that protect our inner surfaces from bacteria and other challenges
requires large glycoproteins called mucins. These come in two types, gel-forming and …

People worldwide are living longer, and it is estimated that by 2050, the proportion of the
world's population over 60 years of age will nearly double. Natural lung aging is associated …

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive disease
characterized by the aberrant accumulation of fibrotic tissue in the lungs parenchyma …

In this review we discuss mucus, the viscoelastic secretion from goblet or mucous producing
cells that lines the epithelial surfaces of all organs exposed to the external world. Mucus is a …