The lungs were long thought to be sterile until technical advances uncovered the presence
of the lung microbial community. The microbiome of healthy lungs is mainly derived from the …

Pneumonia is a type of acute lower respiratory infection that is common and severe. The
outcome of lower respiratory infection is determined by the degrees to which immunity is …

Pulmonary defense against environmental injury depends on airway mucus, which traps
inhaled toxins that are then cleared from the lungs by ciliary beating and cough. This review …

As the primary barrier between an organism and its environment, epithelial cells are well-
positioned to regulate tolerance while preserving immunity against pathogens. Class II …

ABSTRACT Introduction Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has quickly spread around the world …

The airway epithelium represents a physical barrier to the external environment acting as
the first line of defence against potentially harmful environmental stimuli including microbes …

Improvements in our knowledge of the gut microbiota have broadened our vision of the
microbes associated with the intestine. These microbes are essential actors and protectors …

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 …

Mucociliary clearance has long been known to be a significant innate defence mechanism
against inhaled microbes and irritants. Important knowledge has been gathered regarding …

Extracts of Echinacea purpurea (EP, purple coneflower) have been used traditionally in
North America for the treatment of various types of infections and wounds, and they have …