Neuroscience

Biology

Surgery

Respiratory epithelium

Immunology

Airway

Immune system

Epithelium

Immune surveillance

Medicine

Pathology

Mucosal Immunology

The airway epithelium protects us from environmental insults, which we encounter with every breath. Not only does it passively filter large particles, it also senses potential danger and alerts other cells, including immune and nervous cells. Together, these tissues orchestrate the most appropriate response, balancing the need to eliminate the danger with the risk of damage to the host. Each cell subset within the airway epithelium plays its part, and when impaired, may contribute to the development of respiratory disease. Here we highlight recent advances regarding the cellular and functional heterogeneity along the airway epithelium and discuss how we can use this knowledge to design more effective, targeted therapeutics.

Cellular and functional heterogeneity of the airway epithelium