About this Research Topic
Epithelia are self-organized, brilliant-dynamic structures that serve as an interface between an external environment and an organ’s internal microenvironment. The epithelial cells constantly die or divide either as a natural turnover process or due to an injury or assault (from pathogens) to maintain homeostasis. Often, infection at the epithelial site awakens an inflammatory response which leads to the activation of defense mechanisms aimed at clearance and destruction of the invading organisms. As a pathological consequence, the epithelium is damaged and compromised. This disrupts epithelial homeostasis and is the source of inflammation, diseases, and metaplasia. Enhancing our knowledge related to epithelial repair mechanisms, and barrier dysfunction will provide novel insights into the development of regenerative medicine and therapeutics against disease pathogenesis.
Currently, multiple mechanisms are reported on how epithelia adapt to environmental change and respond to pathogens to repair and regenerate themselves. However, much of these studies come from animal models or transformed cell lines, consequently, there is a major challenge in translating this knowledge to the human realm. As a result, studies and findings in physiologically relevant models are still required to gain comprehensive clinical potential for the development of regenerative medicines and therapeutics. The major goal of this collection is to generate and articulate such information to promote a deeper understanding of epithelial and tissue homeostasis in ex-vivo models or other advanced model systems that better mimic the physiology of humans.
Under this topic, we aim to highlight the confluence of infection, inflammation, and epithelial homeostasis as it pertains to functional barrier tissue sites like the lining of the skin, gut, lungs, and urinary tract of human tissue. Overall, we encourage submission of Original Research articles, Methods, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, and Hypothesis & Theory manuscripts on the following topics (but not limited to):
1. Immune signaling pathways (resident immune niche of local microenvironment) in epithelial homeostasis
2. Development signals and morphogenic gradients of growth factors in homeostasis
3. Role of epithelial stem cells and differentiation program in establishing homeostasis
4. Art of balancing pathogen clearance and restoring functional barrier integrity to maintain epithelial homeostasis
5. What innate immune mechanisms, antimicrobial peptides, and specialized cellular proteins influence the restoration of epithelial homeostasis following inflammation
6. Cellular architecture, proliferation, movement, and collective behavior mechanisms of epithelial homeostasis
7. Role of mechanical forces (stretching and compression) in epithelial layer formation
8. Bioengineered and other advanced models of epithelial diseases
9. Specialized cell types in epithelial barriers with sensory functions to detect pathogens
Currently, multiple mechanisms are reported on how epithelia adapt to environmental change and respond to pathogens to repair and regenerate themselves. However, much of these studies come from animal models or transformed cell lines, consequently, there is a major challenge in translating this knowledge to the human realm. As a result, studies and findings in physiologically relevant models are still required to gain comprehensive clinical potential for the development of regenerative medicines and therapeutics. The major goal of this collection is to generate and articulate such information to promote a deeper understanding of epithelial and tissue homeostasis in ex-vivo models or other advanced model systems that better mimic the physiology of humans.
Under this topic, we aim to highlight the confluence of infection, inflammation, and epithelial homeostasis as it pertains to functional barrier tissue sites like the lining of the skin, gut, lungs, and urinary tract of human tissue. Overall, we encourage submission of Original Research articles, Methods, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Perspectives, and Hypothesis & Theory manuscripts on the following topics (but not limited to):
1. Immune signaling pathways (resident immune niche of local microenvironment) in epithelial homeostasis
2. Development signals and morphogenic gradients of growth factors in homeostasis
3. Role of epithelial stem cells and differentiation program in establishing homeostasis
4. Art of balancing pathogen clearance and restoring functional barrier integrity to maintain epithelial homeostasis
5. What innate immune mechanisms, antimicrobial peptides, and specialized cellular proteins influence the restoration of epithelial homeostasis following inflammation
6. Cellular architecture, proliferation, movement, and collective behavior mechanisms of epithelial homeostasis
7. Role of mechanical forces (stretching and compression) in epithelial layer formation
8. Bioengineered and other advanced models of epithelial diseases
9. Specialized cell types in epithelial barriers with sensory functions to detect pathogens
Keywords: epithelium, homeostasis, inflammation, pathogen, barrier-integrity, immune response
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