The epithelium plays a central and critical role in development, physiology and immunity, both innate and mucosal. It primarily acts as a dynamic barrier, proactively participating in health and disease. Staggeringly, the epithelium maintains barrier function amongst some of the highest rates of cellular death and division, highlighting the necessity for tight and temporal regulation. Unsurprisingly, when this regulation is lost, a spectrum of pathologies, from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and IBS to cancer, can manifest. Healthy epithelial monolayers can successfully protect from toxins, viruses, pollutants, and pathogens, all while collaborating with the organs they are encasing and protecting to ensure proper function; when the monolayer is comprised, however, disease readily occurs.
The goal of this special issue is to highlight the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control epithelial homeostasis during development and disease. We aim to collect research articles describing influential players and pathways which impact epithelial monolayer integrity during development, homoeostasis, and disease. We also welcome review articles summarizing our current knowledge of the mechanisms driving impaired epithelial barrier function, emphasizing avenues of possible future therapeutic approaches and targets.
We welcome submissions including, but not limited to:
• Descriptions of specific alterations of the epithelial barrier in disease
• Relationship between epithelial barrier dysfunction and innate immunity
• Mechanisms of host protection against external assaults (e.g. viruses, toxins, pollutants, etc.)
• Mechanotransduction pathways involved in epithelial barrier function (highlighting homeostatic turnover governed by mechanics)
• Evolutionary perspective/origins of epithelial function and shape
• Identification of innovative, epithelial-centric therapeutic targets (preventative and possibly curative) aiming to maintain barrier integrity in disease progression and pathology, as well as in wounding and repair
The epithelium plays a central and critical role in development, physiology and immunity, both innate and mucosal. It primarily acts as a dynamic barrier, proactively participating in health and disease. Staggeringly, the epithelium maintains barrier function amongst some of the highest rates of cellular death and division, highlighting the necessity for tight and temporal regulation. Unsurprisingly, when this regulation is lost, a spectrum of pathologies, from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and IBS to cancer, can manifest. Healthy epithelial monolayers can successfully protect from toxins, viruses, pollutants, and pathogens, all while collaborating with the organs they are encasing and protecting to ensure proper function; when the monolayer is comprised, however, disease readily occurs.
The goal of this special issue is to highlight the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control epithelial homeostasis during development and disease. We aim to collect research articles describing influential players and pathways which impact epithelial monolayer integrity during development, homoeostasis, and disease. We also welcome review articles summarizing our current knowledge of the mechanisms driving impaired epithelial barrier function, emphasizing avenues of possible future therapeutic approaches and targets.
We welcome submissions including, but not limited to:
• Descriptions of specific alterations of the epithelial barrier in disease
• Relationship between epithelial barrier dysfunction and innate immunity
• Mechanisms of host protection against external assaults (e.g. viruses, toxins, pollutants, etc.)
• Mechanotransduction pathways involved in epithelial barrier function (highlighting homeostatic turnover governed by mechanics)
• Evolutionary perspective/origins of epithelial function and shape
• Identification of innovative, epithelial-centric therapeutic targets (preventative and possibly curative) aiming to maintain barrier integrity in disease progression and pathology, as well as in wounding and repair