Ca2 + Fluxes Signal Leukocyte Transmission

Ca2+ fluxes signal leukocyte recruitment to the lung and facilitate transepithelial migration into the airway lumen. Airway epithelial cells are situated well to play a crucial role in host response by providing a physical and an immunological barrier to inhaled pathogens. This physical barrier mediated by epithelial cell-to-cell junctions inhibits pathogens from invading, and the immunological barrier is attained through epithelial cell recognition of bacteria and swift signaling to recruit phagocytes and clear the infection.
A central component in regulating the immunological and physical barriers of the airway epithelium is Ca2+. The participation of Ca2+ as a second messenger is vital to numerous physiological processes
The common respiratory bacterial pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, activate 100 nM Ca2+ fluxes immediately upon contact with airway epithelial cells, and this Ca2+ signal initiates the activation of proinflammatory signaling events …show more content…
Airway epithelial cells contribute to the immunological barrier by detecting the presence of pathogens and secreting chemokines and cytokines to recruit and activate phagocytic cells to clear the invading organism. Airway epithelial cells are protected by mucin and cilia and infrequently come in contact with intact