ABSTRACT
The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of epithelial cells in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) from the perspective of their participation in immunity in the upper airways and sinuses and their mediation of components of the inflammatory response. Triggering of CRS is complex and not well understood. Inanimate airborne materials, antigens and pathogenic organisms can all play a role in CRS and influence the function and phenotype of the airway epithelium. Epithelial cells are prominently involved in the defense of the airways from all these external forces and this can come at the cost of inflammation and disease. We have provided an overview of the many processes in which epithelial cells participate, including innate immunity, adaptive immunity, inflammation, and remodeling. While CRS is an inflammatory disease that is mediated by several cell types and impacts several cell types, we believe that the epithelium is uniquely involved both as a target and mediator of this disease.
