Conceptual model of airflow-mediated mucus clearance from airways. Conceptual model of airflow-mediated mucus clearance from airways. Clearance of airway mucus is mediated by: (i) cohesive failure involving fracture of the mucus layer by tearing mucin strands (dark-green lines); or (ii) adhesive failure requiring disruption of mucus–PCL layer (dark-blue strands surrounding the cilia) interactions, stripping the mucus layer off the cell surface. Brian Button et al. PNAS 2018;115:49:12501-12506 ©2018 by National Academy of Sciences