Endothelial and epithelial signaling in the lung

In recent years, pulmonary research has focused increasingly on the understanding of proinflammatory endothelial and epithelial signaling pathways underlying lung injury that is well known to be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although traditionally considered separately, current research shows considerable convergence in epithelial and endothelial signaling mechanisms. This was well emphasized in the featured topic session held during the Experimental Biology 2007 Meeting in Washington, D.C., that addressed the complex interdependence between signaling pathways in the two cellular phenotypes. Several perspectives on endothelial and epithelial signaling, as well as their contributions to pulmonary inflammation and damage, as presented and discussed in the session are summarized here.