The epithelial surfaces of the lungs are in direct contact with the environment and are
subjected to dynamic physical forces as airway tubes and alveoli are stretched and …

The epithelium of the respiratory tract forms a large surface area that maintains intimate
contact with the environment. Through the act of breathing, this mucosal surface encounters …

The airway epithelium represents the first point of contact for inhaled foreign organisms. The
protective arsenal of the airway epithelium is provided in the form of physical barriers and a …

Most studies of innate immunity have focused on leukocytes such as neutrophils,
macrophages, and natural killer cells. However, epithelial cells play key roles in innate …

Innate immunity is a primordial system that has a primary role in lung antimicrobial defenses.
Recent advances in understanding the recognition systems by which cells of the innate …

The respiratory epithelium maintains an effective antimicrobial environment to prevent
colonization by microorganisms in inspired air. In addition to constitutively present host …

The elucidation of the pathways involved in innate immunity and factors controlling the
transition to adaptive immunity will improve our understanding of the host response to …

The lung, in order to facilitate gas exchange, represents the largest epithelial surface area of
the body in contact with the external environment. As normal respiration occurs, the upper …

The human lung is exposed to a large number of airborne pathogens as a result of the daily
inhalation of 10,000 litres of air. The observation that respiratory infections are nevertheless …

Lung epithelial cells are increasingly recognized to be active effectors of microbial defense,
contributing to both innate and adaptive immune function in the lower respiratory tract. As …