Among the mucin related genes assessed by qRT-PCR, significantly increased expression of MUC1 (1.5-fold), MUC5AC (2.5-fold), and MUC5B (fivefold) were detected in wood smoke exposed bro-ALI-CB whereas only MUC12 (3.5-fold) was significantly increased in the wood smoke exposed bro-ALI model compared to the corresponding sham controls (Additional file 1: Table ST8). Here, MUC5AC is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome.