Epithelial Mucin Stores Are Increased in the Large Airways of Smokers With Airflow Obstruction

Epithelial mucin stores are increased in habitual smokers because of goblet cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and the pattern of mucin gene expression is abnormal. The highest epithelial mucin stores are found in smokers with airflow obstruction, suggesting a mechanistic link between epithelial mucin dysregulation and airflow obstruction.