Epithelial cell extrusion and its roles in disease
Our group discovered cell extrusion, a conserved process that seamlessly squeezes out excess/sub-fit live cells, driving most epithelial cell death to maintain cell number homeostasis. Excess extrusion drives inflammation in asthma, whereas its disruption contributes to many aggressive cancers. Extrusion is also emerging as a key, primordial innate immunity mechanism. These roles suggest new therapeutic opportunities across diverse diseases.
Keywords
Epithelial cell homeostasis / epithelial cell extrusion / cell death / carcinogenesis / invasion / innate immunity / asthma / Piezo1 / fibrosis