A study analyzes the physical properties of airway mucus that can contribute to the failure of coughing to clear mucus in respiratory disease, and suggests that mucus hyperconcentration associated with cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exhibits increased cohesive and adhesive properties, both governed by viscous energy dissipation, likely resulting in reduced cough clearance; hence, strategies to reduce the concentration and viscosity of mucus may help restore effective cough clearance in affected individuals, according to the authors.
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Article #18-11787: "Roles of mucus adhesion and cohesion in cough clearance," by Brian Button et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Button, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC; tel: 919-966-8073; e-mail: bbutton@med.unc.edu
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences