[Epithelial cells in bronchial asthma].

The paper deals with the current data on the morphologic and functional damages to the epithelium in asthma. Structure of the normal airway epithelium is briefly described. Damage to the epithelium disrupts the barrier to the external environment, and may result in changes in mucous secretion, and mucociliary clearance; induce bronchoconstriction; promote chemotaxis of inflammatory cells. Epithelial cells can present antigens to T-lymphocytes. Epithelium is both target and effector in asthma. Hypothesis that eosinophils contribute to the damage of the epithelium gained increasing recognition.