Mesothelial cells defintion,structure and functioning

Mesothelial cells are a monolayer of specialized cells which are lined within the body’s internal organs and serous cavities. Initially, this layer was thought to be a simple tissue that had the role of providing a protective surface that facilitated movement. However with the accumulation of information over the years, these cells which make up the mesothelium tissue are now recognized as part of a dynamic cellular membrane with multiple functions.

 The main function of the mesothelium tissue is to provide a non-adhesive, protective and slippery surface. The cells therefore function as sentinel cells which sense and respond to different signals within the microenvironment. When stimulated, they secrete glycosaminoglycan’s fluids which allow the visceral serosa and parietal membranes to slide over each other.

The cells transport fluids and food substances between the serosal cavities and across the serosal membranes. In response to different mediators, they also respond to external signals, this plays an important role in the regulation of immune, inflammatory and tissue repair responses.

The mesothelium cells is different from other epithelial surfaces since healing appears diversely across the shed surface, while in the true epithelial surface, healing would occur only at the sheet of cells and within the wound edges forming up as sheet of cells. Recent studies of the cells have also led to more understanding of the cell functions e.g. the mesothelial regeneration.

Injury of the mesothelium tissue triggers several events that lead to migration of mesothelial cells. The cells move from the lesion edge to the wound center, within the wound center, the cells then move to the serosal fluid that attaches and icorporates regeneration of the new mesothelium. If healing is compromised, adhesions of fibrous serosal form between the body organs and the body wall, this hinders important abdominal movement. Further neoplastic transformation of the mesothelial cells will give rise to an aggressive tumour known as malignant mesothelioma. This tumour is also closely associated with asbestos but recent studies have shown other factors such as simian virus.