Epithelial cell membranes

The epithelial cell membrane is a specialized plasma membrane that surrounds epithelial cells, distinguishing between the apical domain (exposed to external environments or lumens) and the basolateral domain (interfacing with underlying tissues and blood). It is composed of a fluid phospholipid bilayer with embedded cholesterol, glycoproteins, and proteins, including transporters, channels, and receptors that confer selective permeability, cell polarity, cell-cell adhesion, and supports specialized functions such as nutrient absorption, secretion, and barrier formation[1][4][5][7]. The membrane itself is not an individual therapeutic target, but many proteins embedded within or associated with the epithelial cell membrane serve as drug targets in cancer, infection, inflammation, and other diseases[9][6][3].

Other names

Epithelial plasma membraneApical membrane (for the membrane facing the lumen in polarized epithelia)Basolateral membrane (for the membrane facing the tissue/blood)Epithelial cell surface