Epithelia: Advances in Cell Physiology and Cell Culture

by C.J. Jones (Editor)

Overview

Epithelial cells probably constitute the most diverse group of cells found in the body. In addition to serving as interfaces between external and internal environments, their functions include ion and fluid secretion and reabsorp­ tion, protein exocytosis, hormone secretion, recognition, surface protection and the control of ciliary movement. By their very exposure on the surfaces of the body, epithelial cells are subjected to wide-ranging assault, by micro­ organisms and by chemical and physical forces. They are the targets for abrasion, infection and malignant transformation. Some epithelial cells show altered behaviour in inherited syndromes, such as cystic fibrosis, characterized by serious pancreatic and pulmonary disease. In view of the importance of epithelia and the fact that their function can be altered by environmental and inherited factors, they are the subject of intensive research, particularly so in the case of cancer where most tumours are of epithelial origin. The use of animal tissues in epithelial research continues to provide important advances and this, coupled with the need to focus more on human tissues, has prompted a greater research emphasis on accessible human epithelia and on the establishment of cell cultures from animal and human sources. For primary cell cultures and cell lines to be of value, they need to express properties appropriate to their progenitors and relevant to the study in progress.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789401057394
Publisher:	Springer Netherlands
Publication date:	11/05/2012
Edition description:	1990
Pages:	358
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

Section I: Gastrointestinal Epithelia.- 1. Gastrointestinal epithelial barrier to acid: studies with isolated membrane vesicles and cultured epithelial cells.- 2. Establishment and characteristics of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines.- 3. Transepithelial ion transport in cultured colonic epithelial cell monolayers.- Section II: Pancreas.- 4. Pancreatic ducts: isolation, culture and bicarbonate treatment.- 5. Cultured epithelial cells derived from human fetal pancreatic duct.- Section III: Kidney.- 6. Electrophysiology of the nephron: new insights gained from the patch-clamp technique.- 7. Transport physiology of renal and intestinal cell culture models.- 8. Established renal epithelial cell lines: experimental panacea or artifact?.- Section IV: Respiratory Epithelia.- 9. Form and function of airway epithelium.- 10. Physiological properties of cultured airway epithelial cells: comparison with intact epithelial tissues.- 11. Solution transport across alveolar epithelia of foetal and adult lungs.- 12. Regulation of ion channels in cultured airway epithelial cells.- Section V: Skin and Skin Glands.- 13. Isolated human skin glands and appendages: models for cystic fibrosis, acne vulgaris, alopecia and hidradenitis suppurativa.- 14. Electrophysiological and morphological studies on secretory and reabsorptive segments of the human eccrine sweat gland and on primary cell cultures established from these regions.- 15. Cell culture systems for the study of human skin and skin glands.