Are Clara cells secretory cells?

Are Clara cells secretory cells?

The Clara cells are a group of cells, sometimes called “nonciliated bronchiolar secretory cells”, found in the bronchiolar epithelium of mammals including man, and in the upper airways of some species such as mice.

Are Clara cells stem cells?

Clara cells are differentiated cells of the distal bronchiolar airway, which retain lung resident stem cell capability in response to injury. Clara cells provide protection from toxins by virtue of cytochrome p450 mono-oxygenases, residing within their endoplasmic reticulum.

What do Club cells secrete?

Club cells (Clara cells) are a type of bronchiolar epithelial cell, which secretes the secretoglobin family 1A member 1 (SCGB1A1) protein to protect the bronchiole lining.

Are type II pneumocytes Clara cells?

The non-ciliated Clara cells are often distinguished by their protruding apical domains. At higher power, one can see an alveolar septum, lined on both surfaces by the cellular extensions of Type I pneumocytes (95% of surface) and occasional Type II pneumocytes or great alveolar cells (about 5% of surface area).

Are Clara cells type 2 pneumocytes?

These cells were first recognized as a distinct cell type based on morphology and histochemistry in 1881 by Kölliker (1). In 1967, Niden suggested that Clara cells secrete pulmonary surfactant and that the lamellar bodies seen in alveolar type II pneumocytes represented phagocytized surfactant (4).

Does bronchi have Clara cells?

Clara cells are tall, dome-shaped epithelial cells (see Fig. 1C) that occur in large numbers in the bronchioles of mammals, but not in birds. In some species, these cells may also be found in the bronchi and the trachea.

What cells secrete surfactant?

The pulmonary surfactant is produced by the alveolar type-II (AT-II) cells of the lungs. It is essential for efficient exchange of gases and for maintaining the structural integrity of alveoli. Surfactant is a secretory product, composed of lipids and proteins.

Which type of pneumocytes secrete surfactant?

type 2 pneumocytes
Surfactant is a macroaggregate molecule secreted by type 2 pneumocytes as the infant approaches term gestation. Surfactant is made up of 90% phospholipid and 10% proteins (surfactant protein [SP] A, B, C, and D). The primary function of surfactant is to reduce surface tension in the lung.

What is the difference between type I and type II pneumocytes?

The surface epithelial cells of the alveoli, or pneumocytes, are of two types. The type I pneumocytes form part of the barrier across which gas exchange occurs. Type II pneumocytes are larger, cuboidal cells and occur more diffusely than type I cells.

What are type II pneumocytes?

Type II pneumocytes are larger, cuboidal cells and occur more diffusely than type I cells. They appear foamier than type I cells because of they contain phospholipid multilamellar bodies, the precursor to pulmonary surfactant. Capillaries form a plexus around each alveolus.

What kind of protein does a Clara cell secrete?

Clara Cells. Clara cells are non-ciliated, non-mucous, secretory cells in respiratory epithelium. These epithelial cells secrete several distinctive proteins, including Clara cell 10-kDa secretory protein (CCSP).

How are Clara cells different from serous cells?

Clara Cells and Clara Cell 10 kD Protein (CC10) Clara cells are nonciliated secretory epithelial cells lining the pulmonary airways, distinct from mucous and serous secretory cells in morphology and their secretory products. These cells were first recognized as a distinct cell type based on morphology and histochemistry in 1881 by Kölliker (1).

What is the function of CCSP in Clara cells?

Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) is one protein that is synthesized, stored (in secretory granules) and secreted by Clara cells. CCSP may be an important defense protein in the lung, as in vitro studies suggest that it modulates inflammation and binds reactive cytotoxicants.

What is the function of Clara cells in mice?

Clara cells in the mouse (masson’s trichrome stain). Many Clara cells have apical club-shaped cytoplasmic processes have been interpreted as indicating a secretory function. Initially the secretion was thought likely to be mucus, but more recently it has been suggested that the Clara cell the source of pulmonary surfactant.