REVIEW article
Front. Allergy
Sec. Mechanisms in Allergy
Volume 6 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/falgy.2025.1693611
This article is part of the Research TopicInnovations in Allergy Diagnostics and Management: A Global PerspectiveView all 7 articles
The Epithelial Barrier: A Janus-Faced Regulator in Allergic Airway Diseases from Defense to Inflammation
Provisionally accepted
- Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Background: The epithelial barrier serves as the body's first line of defense between the host immune system and the external environment. Evidence confirms that epithelial barrier damage is an initial event in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases, during which the barrier exhibits a dual "Janus-faced" role. Methods: This review synthesizes current literature to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying epithelial barrier dysfunction, including dysregulation of tight junctions, aberrant immune signaling, and release of pro-inflammatory alarmins. We also evaluate contemporary diagnostic technologies for assessing the epithelial barrier and analyze current therapeutic strategies aimed at its restoration. Results: An intact respiratory epithelial barrier effectively defends against allergens and pathogens. When compromised, it exacerbates inflammatory responses through the release of alarmins. Advances in omics-based profiling and advanced imaging now enable precise assessment of barrier integrity. Therapeutically, innovative strategies—including immunomodulators, biologics, and novel agents targeting epithelial repair pathways—offer promising avenues for restoring barrier function and controlling inflammation. Conclusion: Real-time and effective diagnosis of epithelial barrier integrity, coupled with therapeutic strategies targeting the barrier, are pivotal for achieving long-term disease control in asthma, allergic rhinitis, and related conditions. Future research should focus on barrier-centric integrated approaches to bridge fundamental scientific discoveries with clinical applications.
Keywords: epithelial barrier, allergic respiratory diseases, immune defense, Inflammatory Amplification, Immunomodulation
Received: 28 Aug 2025; Accepted: 22 Oct 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Bao, Chen, Shi and Zhu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Youwei Bao, 1204626297@qq.com
Xinhua Zhu, entzxh@163.com
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