Abstract
Mesothelial cells (MCs) form the superficial anatomic layer of serosal membranes, including pleura, pericardium, peritoneum, and the tunica of the reproductive organs. MCs produce a protective, non-adhesive barrier against physical and biochemical damages. MCs express a wide range of phenotypic markers, including vimentin and cytokeratins. MCs play key roles in fluid transport and inflammation, as reflected by the modulation of biochemical markers such as transporters, adhesion molecules, cytokines, growth factors, reactive oxygen species and their scavengers. MCs synthesize extracellular matrix related molecules, and the surface of MC microvilli secretes a highly hydrophilic protective barrier, "glycocalyx", consisting mainly of glycosaminoglycans. MCs maintain a balance between procoagulant and fibrinolytic activation by producing a whole range of regulators, can synthetize fibrin and therefore form adhesions. Synthesis and recognition of hyaluronan and sialic acids might be a new insight to explain immunoactive and immunoregulatory properties of MCs. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition of MCs may involve serosal repair and remodeling. MCs might also play a role in the development and remodeling of visceral adipose tissue. Taken together, MCs play important roles in health and disease in serosal cavities of the body. The mesothelium is not just a membrane and should be considered as an organ.
Highlights
The pleura is the serous membrane which forms the lining of the pleural cavity and the peritoneum is the serousSerosal surfaces are composed of mesothelial cells (MCs) attached on the basement membrane and subsequent connective tissue containing blood and lymph vessels, fibroblasts, mast cells, monocytes/macrophages, leukocytes, adipocytes, and nerve fibers (Figure 1A) [1, 2]
Mesothelial cells (MCs) might play a role in the development and remodeling of visceral adipose tissue
MC plays a variety of physiological roles or biological functions in several processes such as tissue repair, fibrinolysis, regulation of inflammation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mediation of the intraperitoneal dissemination of cancer cells
Summary
The pleura is the serous membrane which forms the lining of the pleural cavity and the peritoneum is the serousSerosal surfaces are composed of mesothelial cells (MCs) attached on the basement membrane and subsequent connective tissue containing blood and lymph vessels, fibroblasts, mast cells, monocytes/macrophages, leukocytes, adipocytes, and nerve fibers (Figure 1A) [1, 2]. MCs play key roles in fluid transport and inflammation, as reflected by the modulation of biochemical markers such as transporters, adhesion molecules, cytokines, growth factors, reactive oxygen species and their scavengers.
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