Pinkerton K E, Joad J P
Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):457-62. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3457.
The respiratory system is a complex organ system composed of multiple cell types involved in a variety of functions. The development of the respiratory system occurs from embryogenesis to adult life, passing through several distinct stages of maturation and growth. We review embryonic, fetal, and postnatal phases of lung development. We also discuss branching morphogenesis and cellular differentiation of the respiratory system, as well as the postnatal development of xenobiotic metabolizing systems within the lungs. Exposure of the respiratory system to a wide range of chemicals and environmental toxicants during perinatal life has the potential to significantly affect the maturation, growth, and function of this organ system. Although the potential targets for exposure to toxic factors are currently not known, they are likely to affect critical molecular signals expressed during distinct stages of lung development. The effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke during critical windows of perinatal growth are provided as an example leading to altered cellular and physiological function of the lungs. An understanding of critical windows of exposure of the respiratory system on children's health requires consideration that lung development is a multistep process and cannot be based on studies in adults.
呼吸系统是一个复杂的器官系统，由多种参与各种功能的细胞类型组成。呼吸系统的发育从胚胎发生到成年期，历经几个不同的成熟和生长阶段。我们回顾了肺发育的胚胎期、胎儿期和出生后阶段。我们还讨论了呼吸系统的分支形态发生和细胞分化，以及肺内异源物质代谢系统的出生后发育。围产期呼吸系统暴露于多种化学物质和环境毒物有可能显著影响该器官系统的成熟、生长和功能。虽然目前尚不清楚接触有毒因素的潜在靶点，但它们可能会影响肺发育不同阶段表达的关键分子信号。作为一个例子，我们介绍了围产期生长关键窗口期暴露于环境烟草烟雾的影响，这会导致肺细胞和生理功能改变。要理解呼吸系统暴露于关键窗口期对儿童健康的影响，需要考虑到肺发育是一个多步骤过程，不能仅基于对成年人的研究。
