Epithelial cell

A cell participating in an organised epithelial layer, with context-dependent polarity, adhesion and barrier or transport functions.

Madin-Darby canine kidney cell, used in three-dimensional epithelial cyst and polarity assays.

The cultured epithelial model can form polarized layers or epithelial cysts, making it useful for testing vesicle trafficking and apical-basal organization. Cell-line origin, culture geometry and the particular clone matter when comparing results across experiments. ^[ref]

A keratinocyte is the principal epithelial cell of the epidermis and produces keratin intermediate filaments. Dividing basal keratinocytes supply descendants that differentiate, move toward the surface and form the protective barrier. Terminal differentiation changes both protein expression and cellular architecture; the outermost mature cells lose their nuclei. This continual renewal separates a proliferative compartment from a mechanically protective surface. ^[ref]

A keratinocyte in the basement-membrane-associated compartment of a stratified epithelium. Basal position does not establish that every such cell is actively dividing.

A specialized secretory cell normally found at the base of mammalian small-intestinal crypts. Its local antimicrobial and niche-support roles do not imply that all intestinal stem-cell systems require a Paneth-cell arrangement.

A specialized epithelial sensory cell biological population with characteristic apical morphology and context-dependent signalling roles.

A specialized intestinal epithelial cell that senses local conditions and releases signalling products, including hormones.

A specialized mucus-secreting epithelial cell, present in the intestinal lining and other mucosal tissues.

An absorptive epithelial cell of the intestinal lining. Enterocyte-lineage progenitors and terminally differentiated villus enterocytes need not have the same regenerative potential.