© 2005 the European Respiratory Society Current perspectives in epithelial cell injury and repair: consequences for epithelial functions* Depts of Pulmonology and Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, # Lung Injury and Inflammation Research, Directorate of Respiratory Medicine, North Staffordshire Hospital Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. CORRESPONDENCE: R. Lutter, Depts of Pulmonology and Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Fax: 31 205669756. E-mail: r.lutter{at}amc.uva.nl
Epithelial cells lining the airways and the respiratory compartment may, and certainly when exposed to an inflammatory milieu, display an altered functioning, which could contribute to pathophysiology of inflammatory lung/airway disease. In the present review paper, several issues that were discussed at an earlier European Respiratory Society Research Seminar on conditions that affect epithelial functioning have been recapitulated and updated. These and future studies should improve understanding of epithelial functioning and may aid recovery from disease.
KEYWORDS: Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, epithelial, inflammation, pathophysiology
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