title: Disease processes in epithelia: the role of the actin cytoskeleton and altered surface membrane polarity.
abstract: The establishment and maintenance of cell polarity is essential for normal epithelial function. Disruption of the underlying processes, either as a primary inborn defect or as a secondary result of other pathologic processes, can lead to loss of epithelial polarity and further cellular and organ-level dysfunction. Continued elucidation of the processes involved may prove fruitful both in the understanding of basic cell biology and in the understanding and treatment of a variety of disease states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Denver.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leiser
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Molitoris
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000503:physiopathology; D007690:Polycystic Kidney Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins