About this Research Topic
The goal of this Research Topic of Frontiers in Physiology is to compile a multidisciplinary perspective on the fundamental nature of the mucociliary interface. We seek submissions from cell and animal-based studies, human studies, and computational and mathematical modeling studies to give this article collection a wide range of perspectives on mucus and the mucociliary interface. We are particularly interested in submissions that describe how pathological changes to the mucus layer and the presence of mucus flakes and strands/bundles affect the MCI and MCC.
We specifically seek manuscripts that address knowledge gaps pertaining to:
• Communicate of cilia motion and force generation force to a mucus layer at the MCI
• Relative motion of mucus and cilia, both vertically and in the direction of transport.
• How pathological changes to the composition and concentration of the mucus layer affect the MCI.
• Effect of acute and chronic infections on mucus layer and MCC.
• How non-swelling structures such as mucus flakes and strands are formed and affect MCC.
• How mucus structures facilitate interaction with particles or pathogens.
• How ciliated cells affect assembly of mucus structures.
• Mathematical / computational modeling of the mucociliary interface and non-swelling mucus structures.
Keywords: Mucus, Cilia, Periciliary Layer, Mucus Flake, Mucus Stand / Bundle, Mucociliary Clearance, Mucus Structure, Mucus Concentration
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.