These findings are similar to Muc5Ac expression (Bafna et al., 2010; Chaturvedi et al., 2007; Kaur et al., 2013; Rachagani et al., 2012a,b) in the KC model, where Muc5Ac expression is first observed in 10-week-old animals. Here, MUC5AC is linked to keratoconus.