The airways mucus gel performs a critical function in defending the respiratory tract against pathogenic and environmental challenges. In normal physiology, the secreted mucins, in particular the polymeric mucins MUC5AC and MUC5B, provide the organizing framework of the airways mucus gel and are major contributors to its rheological properties. However, overproduction of mucins is an important factor in the morbidity and mortality of chronic airways disease (e.g., asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The roles of these enormous, multifunctional, O-linked glycoproteins in health and disease are discussed.

中文翻译：

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气道粘液中聚合粘蛋白的结构和功能。

呼吸道粘液凝胶在防御呼吸道抵抗病原体和环境挑战方面起着至关重要的作用。在正常的生理学中，分泌的粘蛋白，特别是聚合粘蛋白MUC5AC和MUC5B提供了气道粘液凝胶的组织框架，并且是其流变性质的主要贡献者。然而，粘蛋白的过量生产是慢性气道疾病（例如哮喘，囊性纤维化和慢性阻塞性肺疾病）的发病率和死亡率的重要因素。讨论了这些巨大的多功能O联糖蛋白在健康和疾病中的作用。