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 …

Epithelial barrier permeability is altered in inflammatory respiratory disorders by a variety of
noxious agents through modifications of the epithelial cell structure that possibly involve tight …

An intact endothelial cell barrier maintains normal gas exchange in the lung, and
inflammatory conditions result in barrier disruption that produces life-threatening hypoxemia …

Mainstream cigarette smoke increases the permeability of human airways; however, the
mechanism for this increased permeability is poorly defined. Tight junctions between …

The vascular endothelium lining the inner surface of blood vessels serves as the first
interface for circulating blood components to interact with cells of the vascular wall and …

This article reviews new insights into the basic mechanisms that regulate vectorial transport
of salt and water across the alveolar epithelium of the adult lung. The first section provides …

Various pathophysiological conditions such as surfactant dysfunction, mechanical
ventilation, inflammation, pathogen products, environmental exposures, and gastric acid …

In the lungs, increased vascular permeability can lead to acute lung injury. Because
vascular permeability is regulated primarily by endothelial cells, many researchers have …

Endothelium forms a physical barrier that separates blood from tissue. Communication
between blood and tissue occurs through the delivery of molecules and circulating …

The mammalian airway is lined by a variety of specialized epithelial cells that not only serve
as a physical barrier but also respond to environment-induced damage through the release …