The importance of lung microenvironment

• A microenvironment is an area with a specific composition of mainly extracellular matrix (ECM) components surrounding the cells. The tight interactions between matrix molecules and cells are very important, and it is now well known that the ECM components direct cell activity and function and regulate remodeling processes during both homeostasis and pathological conditions. The lung is a very complex organ that is composed of several different tissue regions, including bronchial tissue, vascular tissue, alveolar tissue, and interstitial tissue, and each region has its own specific microenvironment. These microenvironments differ in matrix composition, cell types, and organization. A well-organized interplay in and between the microenvironments is crucial for proper lung function. In this chapter, we will present an overall discussion of the major components of the lung microenvironments with a specific focus on normal lung tissue regarding ECM macromolecules and matrix-producing cells.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Cell- och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Cell and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

alveoli

basement membrane

collagens

elastin

epithelium

Extracellular matrix

fibroblast

laminin

proteoglycans

Publication and Content Type

kap (subject category)

ref (subject category)