Disease processes in epithelia: the role of the actin cytoskeleton and altered surface membrane polarity.

The establishment and maintenance of cell polarity is essential for normal epithelial function. Disruption of the underlying processes, either as a primary inborn defect or as a secondary result of other pathologic processes, can lead to loss of epithelial polarity and further cellular and organ-level dysfunction. Continued elucidation of the processes involved may prove fruitful both in the understanding of basic cell biology and in the understanding and treatment of a variety of disease states.