Series introduction: innate host defense of the respiratory epithelium

Journal of Leukocyte Biology

Pieter S. Hiemstra²  Robert Bals¹ 

[1] Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital of the University of Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital of the University of Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital of the University of Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany;Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; and Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; and Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; and

关键词: innate immunity;    antimicrobial peptide;    chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;    pattern recognition receptor;    pathogen-associated molecular pattern;   

DOI  :  10.1189/jlb.0903410

学科分类：生理学

来源: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

【 摘 要 】

This series overviews the current knowledge of the innate-immune system of the lung. Special emphasis is put on mechanisms used by epithelial cells of the respiratory tract to contribute to host defense. This defense function is important, as the lung is especially prone to microbial exposure. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide requires the ventilation of a large volume of environmental air that may contain respiratory pathogens. Furthermore, the digestive pathway shares with the airways the pharynx, opening another possibility for the uptake of microorganisms into the respiratory tract. Host defense is provided by a multilayered and complex system that aims to avoid colonization and infection of the lung. A classic view separates the inborn, innate-immune system from adaptive mechanisms that involve antigen-specific lymphocytes [1].

【 授权许可】

Unknown