Clara cell

WikiDoc Resources for Clara cell
Articles
Most recent articles on Clara cell Most cited articles on Clara cell Review articles on Clara cell Articles on Clara cell in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Clara cell Images of Clara cell Photos of Clara cell Podcasts & MP3s on Clara cell Videos on Clara cell
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Clara cell Bandolier on Clara cell TRIP on Clara cell
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Clara cell at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Clara cell Clinical Trials on Clara cell at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Clara cell NICE Guidance on Clara cell NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Clara cell CDC on Clara cell
Books
Books on Clara cell
News
Clara cell in the news Be alerted to news on Clara cell News trends on Clara cell
Commentary
Blogs on Clara cell
Definitions
Definitions of Clara cell
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Clara cell Discussion groups on Clara cell Patient Handouts on Clara cell Directions to Hospitals Treating Clara cell Risk calculators and risk factors for Clara cell
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Clara cell Causes & Risk Factors for Clara cell Diagnostic studies for Clara cell Treatment of Clara cell
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Clara cell
International
Clara cell en Espanol Clara cell en Francais
Business
Clara cell in the Marketplace Patents on Clara cell
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Clara cell

Clara cells are non-mucous and non-ciliated secretory cells found in the primary bronchioles of the lungs.

Clara cells are dome-shaped and have short microvilli. One of the main functions of Clara cells is to protect the bronchiolar epithelium. They do this by secreting a small variety of products, including Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) and a component of the lung surfactant. They are also responsible for detoxifying harmful substances inhaled into the lungs. Clara cells accomplish this with cytochrome P450 enzymes found in their smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Clara cells also multiply and differentiate into ciliated cells to regenerate the bronchiolar epithelium.

Clara cells were originally described by their namesake, Max Clara in 1937.

The respiratory bronchioles represent the transition from the conducting portion to the respiratory portion of the respiratory system. The narrow channels are usually less than 2 mm in diameter and they are lined by a simple cuboidal epithelium, consisting of ciliated cells and non-ciliated Clara cells, which are unique to bronchioles. In addition to being structurally diverse, Clara cells are also functionally variable. One major function they carry out is the synthesis and secretion of the material lining the bronchiolar lumen. This material includes glycosaminoglycans, and proteins such as antibodies and lysosymes. These play an important defensive role, and they also contribute to the degradation of the mucus produced by the upper airways. The heterogeneous nature of the dense granules within the Clara cell's cytoplasm suggests that they may not all have a secretory function. Some of them may contain lysosomal enzymes, which carry out a digestive role, either in defense: Clara cells engulf airborne toxins and break them down via their cytochrome P-450 enzymes present in their smooth endoplasmic reticulum; or in the recycling of secretory products. Clara cells are mitotically active cells. They divide and differentiate to form both ciliated and non-ciliated epithelial cells.

See also

• cGMP-dependent protein kinase
• Skatole

References

• Dudek, Ronald W. High-Yield Histology, 3rd ed. (2004). ISBN 0-7817-4763-5
• Gartner, Leslie P. and James L. Hiatt. Color Textbook of Histology, 2nd ed. (2001). ISBN 0-7216-8806-3
• "Zur Histobiologie des Bronchialepithels." Z. mikrosk.-anat. Forsch. 4: 321-347.

External links

• Histology image: 13805loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
• Template:GPnotebook
• Template:UIUCHistologySubject
• Histology at ucsf.edu