Gudis David A, Cohen Noam A
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Ravdin Building, 5th Floor, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2010 Jun;43(3):461-72, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2010.02.007.
Cilia are complex and powerful cellular structures that serve a multitude of functions across many types of organisms. In humans, one of the most critical roles of cilia is defense of the airway. The respiratory epithelium is lined with cilia that normally carry out an integrated and coordinated mechanism called mucociliary clearance. Mucociliary clearance, the process by which cilia transport the viscous mucus blanket of the upper airway to the gastrointestinal tract, is the primary means by which the upper airway clears itself of pathogens, allergens, debris, and toxins. The complex structure and regulatory mechanisms that dictate the form and function of normal cilia are not entirely understood, but it is clear that ciliary dysfunction results in impaired respiratory defense. Ciliary dysfunction may be primary, the result of genetic mutations resulting in abnormal cilia structure, or secondary, the result of environmental, infectious or inflammatory stimuli that disrupt normal motility or coordination.
纤毛是复杂且强大的细胞结构，在多种生物体中发挥着众多功能。在人类中，纤毛最关键的作用之一是保护气道。呼吸道上皮衬有纤毛，这些纤毛通常执行一种称为黏液纤毛清除的整合且协调的机制。黏液纤毛清除是纤毛将上呼吸道的黏性黏液层输送至胃肠道的过程，是上呼吸道清除自身病原体、过敏原、碎屑和毒素的主要方式。决定正常纤毛形态和功能的复杂结构及调节机制尚未完全明了，但很明显，纤毛功能障碍会导致呼吸道防御受损。纤毛功能障碍可能是原发性的，即基因突变导致纤毛结构异常的结果，也可能是继发性的，即环境、感染或炎症刺激破坏正常运动或协调的结果。
