Pleural mesothelium

The pleural mesothelium is a specialized monolayer of mesothelial cells that lines the pleural cavity, encompassing both the visceral pleura covering the lungs and the parietal pleura lining the thoracic wall (StatPearls, 2023). Its primary physiological role is to facilitate smooth, frictionless movement of the lungs during respiration by secreting lubricating fluids and macromolecules like hyaluronan (PMID: 15105161). Beyond lubrication, the mesothelium acts as a dynamic barrier regulating the transport of fluids, ions, and cells across the pleural space (PubMed, 2018). It is metabolically active and plays a critical role in the initiation and resolution of pleural inflammation, as well as tissue repair and fibrinolysis (StatPearls, 2023). In clinical medicine, the pleural mesothelium is most notably associated with malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive malignancy frequently linked to asbestos exposure (NCI, 2024). It is also involved in the pathogenesis of pleural effusions, pleurisy, and various fibrotic conditions of the lung (PubMed, 2020). While the mesothelium itself is a tissue rather than a single molecular target, it expresses specific proteins such as mesothelin and various growth factor receptors that serve as key targets for diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic interventions (PathologyOutlines, 2023). Drugs like pemetrexed and bevacizumab are used to treat diseases of the mesothelium by targeting DNA synthesis and angiogenesis, respectively (NCI, 2024).

Other names

Pleural mesothelial cellsMesothelium of the pleuraVisceral pleuraParietal pleura

Therapeutic agents target specific molecular pathways within the mesothelial cells, such as antimetabolites for DNA synthesis, VEGF inhibitors for angiogenesis, and checkpoint inhibitors for immune activation (NCI, 2024).