Mucus glycoproteins importance

Several mechanisms by which mucoadhesives adhere to biological surface have been suggested, including the electronic, adsorption, wetting, diffusion, and fracture theories. It is likely that water movement from the mucosa to the polymer and physical entanglement of the adhesive polymer in the mucus glycoprotein chains are important in obtaining adherence. 

The detection of an a(2-3)-sialyltransferase in porcine submandibular glands was important, as the mucus glycoprotein, the major secretory product in this gland, contains little or no a(2-3)-linked sialic acid. However, the tetrasaccharide... 

Respiratory mucus is a complex mixture of glycoproteins, proteoglycans, lipids, and smaller quantities of other proteins (82). Glycoproteins appear to be the most important component conferring viscoelastic properties to the mucus (see also Chap. 13). 

In summary, the rheologieal eharaeteristies of normal mucus are very well matched with the characteristics of the ciliary propulsion system. Mucociliary transport depends on the interplay between three eomponents—the cilia, pericili-aiy fluid, and mucus—with the surfactant film at the mucus-air interface (44,45,81). The glycoproteins are most important in providing the appropriate levels of elasticity, viscosity, and cohesiveness for mucous flakes and sheets to be optimally propelled (82). 

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