Abstract

Epithelial tissues, which line our bodies, are constantly exposed to stressors such as injuries, infections, and harmful stimuli. The resulting deviations from homeostasis are quickly detected by immune cells stationed at these barriers. I discuss intricate communication between the immune system and epithelia that have come to fore through mechanistic studies of tissue repair. When unchecked, this crosstalk can lead to chronic inflammatory disease and fuel pathology through by activating continuous damage-repair cycles. Eavesdropping on the conversation between immunity and the epithelia may thus provide unique means of boosting epithelial barrier function by modulating immune signaling or modulating repair mechanisms to treat inflammatory disease.