# Pulmonary aging increases MUC5AC in the airway epithelium, increasing the risk of carcinogenesis

> **NIH VA I01** · OMAHA VA  MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

The lung is known to undergo changes with aging, including alterations in the airway epithelium. Older people
have higher rates of lung cancer, with over 70% of lung cancers diagnosed in those over age 65. This
suggests that the aged lung cell is particularly sensitive to carcinogenic insults. Very little is known about how
cellular changes with aging in the lung may lead to carcinogenesis.
We have compelling pilot data showing that MUC5AC is increased in the airways of healthy older people, as
well as in a murine model of aging. We have also recently found that we can increase the expression of
MUC5AC in the airway epithelium of cells from young donors by inducing oxidative stress or producing DNA
damage. These findings suggest that not only is MUC5AC increased in the aging lung, but also that specific
aging-related cell stresses drive the upregulation of MUC5AC/muc5ac in aging. The upregulation of MUC5AC
in older cells serves as a link between aging and the increasing risk of developing lung cancer. In particular,
the increased expression of MUC5AC makes the airway epithelium more susceptible to DNA damage and then
potentially creates an environment that is favorable to carcinogenesis.
Our preliminary data suggest that lung aging leads to decreases in Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). SIRT 1 is known to play a
prominent role in aging and DNA damage. SIRT1 is also known to deacetylate Mitogen-activated protein
kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP1). Decreased SIRT1 activity leads to increased acetylation of MKP1, which
increases MKP1 activity. Inhibition of MKP1 in lung cells from aged donors restores MUC5AC to low, youthful
levels. This suggests it plays a key role in the upregulation of MUC5AC in aging.
These data led us to hypothesize that: Aging leads to cellular changes that increase MUC5AC expression,
promoting lung cancer development. In this proposal we will 1) Determine the aging mechanisms that promote
the upregulation of MUC5AC. 2) Elucidate the mechanisms linking aging processes to increased expression of
MUC5AC, and determine how to rejuvenate aged cells. 3) Identify the consequences of aging and upregulated
Muc5ac in a murine model of lung cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10773111
- **Project number:** 5I01BX006049-02
- **Recipient organization:** OMAHA VA  MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristina L Bailey
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-01-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10773111

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10773111, Pulmonary aging increases MUC5AC in the airway epithelium, increasing the risk of carcinogenesis (5I01BX006049-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10773111. Licensed CC0.

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