肺泡上皮细胞在肺部免疫中的作用

肺泡是肺脏进行气体交换的基本单位,其内表面覆盖着Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型肺泡上皮细胞。肺泡上皮细胞在面积上的绝对优势使其相较于肺泡巨噬细胞,更有机会在第一时间和病原体直接接触。肺泡上皮除了形成致密的屏障以隔绝外源性致病原外,也通过其表面受体和分泌产物与免疫细胞相互作用,来维持肺部的稳态和相对无菌性。肺上皮异常损伤和过度修复与多种肺部疾病如慢性阻塞性肺病、肺纤维化直接相关。本文综述了关于肺泡上皮细胞在屏障作用、病原防御、调节免疫功能以及和肺部疾病关系的研究进展。

Role of alveolar epithelial cells in pulmonary immunity

Alveoli are the basic units of gas exchange in the lungs and are covered with type Ⅰand Ⅱalveolar epithelial cells.Due to the absolute advantage in area distribution,alveolar epithelium cells commonly have direct contact with pathogens in the first line.Alveolar epithelial cells not only form a barrier to isolate exogenous pathogenic agents,but also interact with immune cells through its surface receptors and secretory products to maintain lung homeostasis and near sterility.Abnormal injury and excessive repair of lung epithelium are directly related to a variety of lung diseases,such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.The functions of alveolar epithelium and its relationship with lung diseases are reviewed here.