Cumplido-Laso Guadalupe, Benitez Dixan A, Mulero-Navarro Sonia, Carvajal-Gonzalez Jose Maria
Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071 Badajoz, Spain.
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 30;24(19):14789. doi: 10.3390/ijms241914789.
The airway epithelium is a critical component of the respiratory system, serving as a barrier against inhaled pathogens and toxins. It is composed of various cell types, each with specific functions essential to proper airway function. Chronic respiratory diseases can disrupt the cellular composition of the airway epithelium, leading to a decrease in multiciliated cells (MCCs) and an increase in secretory cells (SCs). Basal cells (BCs) have been identified as the primary stem cells in the airway epithelium, capable of self-renewal and differentiation into MCCs and SCs. This review emphasizes the role of transcription factors in the differentiation process from BCs to MCCs and SCs. Recent advancements in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) techniques have provided insights into the cellular composition of the airway epithelium, revealing specialized and rare cell types, including neuroendocrine cells, tuft cells, and ionocytes. Understanding the cellular composition and differentiation processes within the airway epithelium is crucial for developing targeted therapies for respiratory diseases. Additionally, the maintenance of BC populations and the involvement of Notch signaling in BC self-renewal and differentiation are discussed. Further research in these areas could provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying airway epithelial homeostasis and disease pathogenesis.
气道上皮是呼吸系统的关键组成部分，作为抵御吸入病原体和毒素的屏障。它由多种细胞类型组成，每种细胞类型都具有对气道正常功能至关重要的特定功能。慢性呼吸道疾病会破坏气道上皮的细胞组成，导致多纤毛细胞（MCCs）减少和分泌细胞（SCs）增加。基底细胞（BCs）已被确定为气道上皮中的主要干细胞，能够自我更新并分化为MCCs和SCs。本综述强调了转录因子在从BCs向MCCs和SCs分化过程中的作用。单细胞RNA测序（scRNAseq）技术的最新进展为气道上皮的细胞组成提供了见解，揭示了包括神经内分泌细胞、簇状细胞和离子细胞在内的特殊和罕见细胞类型。了解气道上皮内的细胞组成和分化过程对于开发呼吸系统疾病的靶向治疗至关重要。此外，还讨论了BC群体的维持以及Notch信号在BC自我更新和分化中的作用。这些领域的进一步研究可能会为气道上皮稳态和疾病发病机制的潜在机制提供有价值的见解。
