# Core D: Mucus Biochemistry/Biophysics Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $202,679

## Abstract

The mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems are
continually exposed to the exterior environment. In health, the continual clearance of a luminal
mucus layer in these organ systems represents a key component of innate defense against
disease. However, in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), abnormal mucus clearance represents a
key contributor to disease pathogenesis. Over the last decade, our studies have revealed that
CFTR dysfunction in pwCF leads to epithelial surface layer volume depletion and, thus,
“dehydration” of the overlying mucus layer. This increased mucus concentration, coupled with
disease-related mucin overproduction, results in mucus adhesion to epithelial surfaces and
mucostasis. It is likely that adhesion of the mucus to the epithelial surface represents an initiating
event in the pathogenesis of the CF in both the lung and gut. Static mucus constitutes the nidus
for the persistent bacterial infection that provokes an ineffective inflammatory response in the
airways and likely small intestine (i.e., small bowel overgrowth). Given the importance of
understanding the role that mucus and mucins play in CF pathogenesis in both the GI system and
lungs, the goal of the Mucus Biochemical and Biophysical Core (Core D) is to provide both internal
and external researchers access to a unique spectrum of tools and reagents necessary for
understanding the biochemical and biophysical properties of mucus/mucins in health and pwCF.
To this end, Core D laboratories offer a series of novel techniques developed to directly measure
key mucus biochemical and biophysical properties, including mucin concentration, osmotic
pressure, adhesion strength, cell surface frictional interactions, and viscous and elastic moduli.
Collectively, these measurements will facilitate an understanding of how abnormal mucus in CF
produces adherent, static, mucus and to identify optimal combinations of pharmacological
agent(s) to restore/accelerate the rate of mucus transport in people with CF. The main goal of the
UNC Mucus Biochemistry and Biophysics Core is to provide investigators data from these
specialized mucus/mucin assays that are either not possible or feasible in their labs. Core D is
uniquely positioned to: 1) investigate the properties of user supplied mucus samples; and 2)
assess the impact of therapeutic agents, supplied by investigators, to reduce mucus accumulation
and accelerate mucus clearance. A strength of this Core is the collaboration of a group of
scientists who are experts in the field of mucus/mucin analysis. The benefit to potential Core users
is the ability to generate data utilizing our novel techniques, freeing individual investigators to
focus on basic science, and drug development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9983964
- **Project number:** 2P30DK065988-16
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** BRIAN M BUTTON
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $202,679
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2003-09-30 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9983964

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9983964, Core D: Mucus Biochemistry/Biophysics Core (2P30DK065988-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9983964. Licensed CC0.

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