Epithelial Cells Role in Lung Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

The alveolar epithelium is made up of alveolar type I (ATI) and alveolar type II (ATII) cell types. ATI cells cover the majority of the alveolar surface due to their thin, elongated shape and are largely responsible for barrier function and gas exchange. ATII cells have four main functions, i.e., (a) the production and secretion of surfactant; (b) the transepithelial movement of water and ions regulating the volume of the alveolar surface liquid, preventing alveoli flooding; (c) the expression of immunomodulatory proteins necessary for host defense and the regulation of innate immunity; (d) the regeneration of alveolar epithelium after injury. ATII cells play a crucial role in lung repair/regeneration after injury. During lung injury, ATI cells are susceptible to injury, including cell death. Under some circumstances, ATII cells also die. To regenerate lost epithelial cells, ATII cells serve as progenitor cells. They proliferate to create new ATII cells and then differentiate into ATI cells.

Dysfunctional alveolar epithelium is implicated to such an extent in almost every instance of lung disease that, of late, it has been considered a therapeutic target. Therefore, studying this role from a cellular perspective could well provide a novel understanding of lung disease. ATII dysfunction or dropout has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of parenchymal lung diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ATII cells may also contribute to fibroproliferative reaction by secreting growth factors and proinflammatory molecules after damage. Indeed, various acute and chronic diseases are associated with intensive inflammation. These include edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, fibrosis and numerous interstitial lung diseases and are characterized by hyperplastic ATII cells, which are considered an essential part of the epithelialization process and, consequently, wound healing. The aim of this Special Issue is to underline the physiologic and pathologic role that alveolar type I and type II cells play in pulmonary diseases. Our major focus is on experimental cytology (in vitro and in vivo studies).

Dr. Barbara Ruaro
Dr. Francesco Salton
Prof. Marco Confalonieri
Guest Editors

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