3. Epithelial injury. Mechanisms and cell biology of airway epithelial injury.

Injury of airway epithelia involves selective interactions of toxins with the cellular and paracellular components of the epithelial barrier. Repair of epithelial injury appears to involve mitogenic and differentiating factors that function in autocrine and paracrine modes. Fruitful techniques for future study of airway epithelial injury and repair will include combinations of cell culture and modulation of gene expression.