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Related Concept Videos

Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

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The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
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The human immune system is a complex defense mechanism that protects the body from harmful pathogens and foreign substances. It comprises two crucial components: innate and adaptive immunity.
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Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
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Innate immune sensing by epithelial barriers.

David A Constant1, Timothy J Nice1, Isabella Rauch1

  • 1Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States.

Current Opinion in Immunology
|August 15, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Epithelial cells act as crucial first responders in immunity, using pattern recognition receptors to detect pathogens and maintain tissue balance. These cells are central to the innate immune response, protecting the body from harmful invaders.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Epithelial cells form barriers crucial for host defense.
  • These cells possess pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to sense pathogens.
  • Epithelial cells contribute to both immunity and homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of epithelial cells in innate immunity.
  • To highlight recent advances in understanding epithelial cell immune sensing.
  • To emphasize epithelial cells as central players in immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature.
  • Analysis of molecular sensors and signaling pathways in epithelial cells.
  • Integration of findings on epithelial cell-autonomous immunity.

Main Results:

  • Epithelial cells detect pathogens via membrane-bound and cytosolic PRRs.
  • Epithelial cells respond to commensal and diet-derived products for homeostasis.
  • Epithelial cell responses balance pathogen elimination with homeostatic maintenance.

Conclusions:

  • Epithelial cells are active participants, not passive barriers, in immunity.
  • Recent advances reveal sophisticated epithelial cell sensing mechanisms.
  • Epithelial cells are indispensable for effective innate immune responses.