Three cheers for the goblet cell: maintaining homeostasis in mucosal epithelia
Résumé
Many organs throughout the body maintain epithelial homeostasis by employing a
mucosal barrier which acts as a lubricant and helps to preserve a near-sterile
epithelium. Goblet cells are largely responsible for secreting components of this
mucosal barrier and represent a major cellular component of the innate defense system.
In this review, we summarize what is known about the signaling pathways that control
goblet cell differentiation in the intestine, the lung and the ocular surface and discuss a
novel functional role for goblet cells in mucosal epithelial immunology. We highlight the
cell type specificity of the circuitry regulating goblet cell differentiation and shed light on
how alteration of these pathways affects goblet function, which represent prominent
features of mucosal-associated diseases.
Domaines
Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]
Origine : Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s)
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