Mucins are an ancient group of glycoproteins that provide viscoelastic, lubricating and hydration properties to fluids bathing wet surfaced epithelia. They are involved in the protection of underlying tissues by forming a barrier with selective permeability properties. The expression, processing and spatial distribution of mucins are often determined by organ-specific requirements that in the eye involve protecting against environmental insult while allowing the passage of light. The human ocular surface epithelia have evolved to produce an extremely thin and watery tear film containing a distinct soluble mucin product secreted by goblet cells outside the visual axis. The adaptation to the ocular environment is notably evidenced by the significant contribution of transmembrane mucins to the tear film, where they can occupy up to one-quarter of its total thickness. This article reviews the tissue-specific properties of human ocular mucins, methods of isolation and detection, and current approaches to model mucin systems recapitulating the human ocular surface mucosa. This knowledge forms the fundamental basis to develop applications with a promising biological and clinical impact.

粘蛋白是一组古老的糖蛋白，为沐浴湿表面上皮的液体提供粘弹性、润滑和水合特性。它们通过形成具有选择性渗透特性的屏障来参与保护下面的组织。粘蛋白的表达、加工和空间分布通常由器官特异性要求决定，这些要求在眼睛中涉及保护免受环境侵害，同时允许光线通过。人类眼表上皮细胞已经进化出一种极薄的水状泪膜，其中含有视轴外杯状细胞分泌的独特的可溶性粘蛋白产物。跨膜粘蛋白对泪膜的显着贡献显着证明了对眼部环境的适应，它们可以占据泪膜总厚度的四分之一。本文回顾了人眼粘蛋白的组织特异性特性、分离和检测方法以及模拟人眼表面粘膜的粘蛋白系统模型的当前方法。这些知识构成了开发具有良好生物学和临床影响的应用的基础。