Epithelial–mesenchymal transition in lung development and disease: does it exist and is it important?

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process when epithelial cells gradually transform into mesenchymal-like cells losing their epithelial functionality and characteristics. EMT is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of numerous lung diseases ranging from developmental disorders, fibr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThorax Vol. 69; no. 8; pp. 760 - 765
Main Authors Bartis, Domokos, Mise, Nikica, Mahida, Rahul Y, Eickelberg, Oliver, Thickett, David R
Format Journal Article Book Review
LanguageEnglish
Published England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.08.2014
Subjects
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition - physiology
Humans
Lung - embryology
Lung - pathology
Lung Diseases - pathology
Transcription Factors - physiology
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Summary:Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process when epithelial cells gradually transform into mesenchymal-like cells losing their epithelial functionality and characteristics. EMT is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of numerous lung diseases ranging from developmental disorders, fibrotic tissue remodelling to lung cancer. The most important question—namely what is the importance and contribution of EMT in the pathogenesis of several chronic lung conditions (asthma, COPD, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and lung fibrosis)—is currently intensely debated. This review gives a brief insight into the mechanism and assessment methods of EMT in various pulmonary diseases and summarises the recent literature highlighting the controversial experimental data and conclusions.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
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ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:0040-6376
1468-3296
DOI:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204608