Efficient mucociliary transport relies on efficient regulation of ciliary beating.
The respiratory mucociliary epithelium is a synchronized and highly effective waste-disposal system. It uses mucus as a vehicle, driven by beating cilia, to transport unwanted particles, trapped in the mucus, away from the respiratory system. The ciliary machinery can function in at least two different modes: a low rate of beating that requires only ATP, and a high rate of beating regulated by second messengers. The mucus propelling velocity is linearly dependent on ciliary beat frequency (CBF). The linear dependence implies that a substantial increase in transport efficiency requires an equally substantial rise in CBF. The ability to enhance beating in response to various physiological cues is a hallmark of mucociliary cells. An intricate signaling network controls ciliary activity, which relies on interplay between calcium and cyclic nucleotide pathways.
Braiman
Alex
A
The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel.
Priel
Zvi
Z
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002923:Cilia / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000502:physiology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D002118:Calcium