title: The role of airway epithelial cells and innate immune cells in chronic respiratory disease.
abstract: An abnormal immune response to environmental agents is generally thought to be responsible for causing chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Based on studies of experimental models and human subjects, there is increasing evidence that the response of the innate immune system is crucial for the development of this type of airway disease. Airway epithelial cells and innate immune cells represent key components of the pathogenesis of chronic airway disease and are emerging targets for new therapies. In this Review, we summarize the innate immune mechanisms by which airway epithelial cells and innate immune cells regulate the development of chronic respiratory diseases. We also explain how these pathways are being targeted in the clinic to treat patients with these diseases.
authors.affiliation: 1] Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. [2] Department of Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Holtzman
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Derek E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Byers
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alexander-Brett
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Xinyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000276:immunology*