Journal article
Multiscale mechanics of mucociliary clearance in the lung
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Vol.375(1792), pp.20190160-20190160
12/30/2019
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0160
PMCID: PMC7017338
PMID: 31884926
Abstract
Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is one of the most important defence mechanisms of the human respiratory system. Its failure is implicated in many chronic and debilitating airway diseases. However, due to the complexity of lung organization, we currently lack full understanding on the relationship between these regional differences in anatomy and biology and MCC functioning. For example, it is unknown whether the regional variability of airway geometry, cell biology and ciliary mechanics play a functional role in MCC. It therefore remains unclear whether the regional preference seen in some airway diseases could originate from local MCC dysfunction. Though great insights have been gained into the genetic basis of cilia ultrastructural defects in airway ciliopathies, the scaling to regional MCC function and subsequent clinical phenotype remains unpredictable. Understanding the multiscale mechanics of MCC would help elucidate genotype–phenotype relationships and enable better diagnostic tools and treatment options. Here, we review the hierarchical and variable organization of ciliated airway epithelium in human lungs and discuss how this organization relates to MCC function. We then discuss the relevancy of these structure–function relationships to current topics in lung disease research. Finally, we examine how state-of-the-art computational approaches can help address existing open questions.
This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Unity and diversity of cilia in locomotion and transport’.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Multiscale mechanics of mucociliary clearance in the lung
- Creators
- Janna C. Nawroth - EmulateAnne M. van der Does - Leiden University Medical CenterAmy Ryan (Firth) - University of Southern CaliforniaEva Kanso - University of Southern California
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Vol.375(1792), pp.20190160-20190160
- Publisher
- The Royal Society
- DOI
- 10.1098/rstb.2019.0160
- PMID
- 31884926
- PMCID
- PMC7017338
- ISSN
- 0962-8436
- eISSN
- 1471-2970
- Grant note
- 5R01HL139828, 2018-22 / Hasting Foundation 748569; 2018-2020 / EU Marie Curie Global Fellowship
- Alternative title
- Mechanics of mucociliary clearance
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/30/2019
- Academic Unit
- Anatomy and Cell Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9984284459802771
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