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 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 …

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 …

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 …

The respiratory tract is faced daily with 10,000 L of inhaled air. While the majority of air
contains harmless environmental components, the pulmonary immune system also has to …

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 lung, with its enormous surface area, is literally 'bathed in a sea'of potential toxins that
include pathogenic microorganisms, allergens, and pollutants. To preserve homeostasis …

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 …

Pneumonia is a serious problem worldwide. We recently demonstrated that innate defense
mechanisms of the lung are highly inducible against pneumococcal pneumonia. To …