Host immune and epithelial systems

The host immune and epithelial systems represent the integrated biological network responsible for maintaining barrier integrity and executing defensive responses against pathogens (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2019). Epithelial cells serve as a physical barrier and active signaling hubs that sense environmental stimuli and recruit immune cells through the secretion of chemokines and cytokines, such as IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP (PubMed, PMC6148312). This crosstalk is essential for tissue homeostasis; however, when dysregulated, it drives chronic inflammatory conditions such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and atopic dermatitis (NIH, StatPearls). Therapeutic strategies often focus on modulating this interface by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators or enhancing barrier function to prevent pathogen entry and systemic inflammation (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2020). Because this term describes a broad physiological system rather than a single molecular entity, it is not classified as a specific therapeutic target in drug discovery databases (UniProt; PubChem).

Other names

Epithelial-immune interfaceMucosal immune systemHost-environment barrierEpithelial-immune crosstalk

Modulation of cytokine signaling, inhibition of leukocyte recruitment, and restoration of epithelial barrier integrity through the suppression of inflammatory mediators.