Respiratory epithelium

About: Respiratory epithelium is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5048 publications have been published within this topic receiving 222304 citations. The topic is also known as: respiratory tract epithelium & Respiratory Mucosa.

Ceramide is increased in the lower airway epithelium of people with advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease.

Abstract: Rationale: Ceramide accumulates in the airway epithelium of mice deficient in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, resulting in susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and inflammation.Objectives: To investigate quantitatively ceramide levels in the lower airway of people with cystic fibrosis compared with pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, and lung donors.Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed on the lower airway epithelium of explanted lungs (eight cystic fibrosis, emphysema, and pulmonary hypertension, respectively) and eight donor lungs using ceramide, neutrophil elastase, and myeloperoxidase antibodies. High-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was performed on tissue from five lungs with cystic fibrosis and five with pulmonary hypertension.Measurements and Main Results: Staining for ceramide was significantly increased in the lower airway epithelium of people with cystic fibrosis (median, 14.11%) compared with pulmonary hypertension (3.03%; P = 0.0009);...

Airway Epithelium Interactions with Aeroallergens: Role of Secreted Cytokines and Chemokines in Innate Immunity

Abstract: Airway epithelial cells are the first line of defense against the constituents of the inhaled air, which include allergens, pathogens, pollutants and toxic compounds. The epithelium not only prevents the penetration of these foreign substances into the interstitium, but also senses their presence and informs the organism’s immune system of the impending assault. Epithelium accomplishes the latter through the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that recruit and activate innate immune cells at the site of assault. These epithelial responses aim to eliminate the inhaled foreign substances and minimize their detrimental effects to the organism. Quite frequently, however, these innate immune responses of the epithelium to inhaled substances may become self-damaging because of chronic and high level release of pro-inflammatory mediators. The interactions of airway epithelial cells with allergens will be discussed with particular focus in the interactions-mediated epithelial release of cytokines-chemokines and their role in the immune response. As pollutants are other major constituents of inhaled air, we will also discuss how pollutants may alter the responses of airway epithelial cells to allergens.

Reduced endothelial nitric oxide synthase in lungs of chronically ventilated preterm lambs

Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO), produced in lung vascular endothelium and airway epithelium, has an important role in regulating smooth muscle cell growth and tone. Chronic lung disease, a frequent complication...

The Role of Basal Cells in Adhesion of Columnar Epithelium to Airway Basement Membrane

Abstract: In this report, we present a new concept of the role of the basal cell in airway epithelium. Previously, the basal cell was thought to be the progenitor cell for the columnar epithelium. However, several studies have shown that this concept may not be correct. The morphologic aspects of the basal cell suggest that it could play a role in adhesion of the columnar epithelium to the basement membrane. Basal cells form attachments with columnar cells (desmosomes) and with the basement membrane (hemidesmosomes). Columnar cells do not form hemidesmosome attachments with the basement membrane. Basal cells could strengthen the adhesion of columnar cells to the basement membrane by forming hemidesmosome attachments to the basement membrane and desmosome attachments with adjacent columnar cells. Incidental evidence from 2 existing publications concerning airway microanatomy support this concept. As columnar cells grow taller, the proportion of the cell surface in contact with the basement membrane becomes progressi...