Keywords:
Adherens junctions; Apical junctional complex; Barrier disruption; Confocal microscopy; Epithelial barrier; Epithelial permeability; In-Cell Western™; Rhinovirus; Super-resolution microscopy; Tight junctions; Transepithelial electrical resistance; Viral infection
Abstract:
The airway mucosal epithelium is the main gateway of entry for numerous human respiratory viruses, including human influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, and rhinoviruses. For respiratory viruses to perpetuate infection, they must be able to traverse the airway mucosal epithelium and then spread into distal sites of the respiratory tract and lung parenchyma.