The main interfaces controlling and attempting to homeostatically balance communications
between the host and the environment are the epithelial barriers of the skin, gastrointestinal …

Allergic bronchial asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that is characterized by
symptoms like respiratory distress, chest tightness, wheezing, productive cough, and acute …

Airway epithelial cells form a barrier to the outside world and are at the front line of mucosal
immunity. Epithelial apical junctional complexes are multiprotein subunits that promote cell …

Allergic sensitization to inhaled antigens is common but poorly understood. Although lung
epithelial cells were initially merely regarded as a passive barrier impeding allergen …

Background Tight junctions (TJs) form a barrier on the apical side of neighboring epithelial
cells in the bronchial mucosa. Changes in their integrity might play a role in asthma …

Background Hundreds of plant species release their pollen into the air every year during
early spring. During that period, pollen allergic as well as non‐allergic patients frequently …

The superiority of in vitro 3D cultures over conventional 2D cell cultures is well recognized
by the scientific community for its relevance in mimicking the native tissue architecture and …

In vitro models using human primary epithelial cells are essential in understanding key
functions of the respiratory epithelium in the context of microbial infections or inhaled agents …

Epithelial permeability is a hallmark of mucosal inflammation, but the molecular mechanisms
involved remain poorly understood. A key component of the epithelial barrier is the apical …

While breathing, many microorganisms, harmful environmental particles, allergens, and
environmental pollutants enter the human airways. The human respiratory tract is lined with …