Editing Club cell (section)

{{Short description|Cell type}}
{{Infobox cell
| Name        = Club cell
| Latin       = exocrinocytus bronchiolaris
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'''Club cells''', also known as '''bronchiolar exocrine cells''',<ref name="PapadakosLachmann2007">{{cite book|author1=Peter J. Papadakos|author2=Burkhard Lachmann|title=Mechanical Ventilation: Clinical Applications and Pathophysiology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fr6Q-xpPSdIC&pg=PA74|accessdate=27 May 2011|date=29 August 2007|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-7216-0186-1|pages=74–}}</ref> are low columnar/cuboidal [[cell (biology)|cells]] with short [[microvilli]], found in the small airways ([[bronchioles]]) of the [[lung]]s.<ref name="pmid18179694">{{cite journal |vauthors=Atkinson JJ, Adair-Kirk TL, Kelley DG, Demello D, Senior RM |title=Clara cell adhesion and migration to extracellular matrix |journal=Respir. Res. |volume=9 |issue= 1|pages=1 |year=2008 |pmid=18179694 |pmc=2249579 |doi=10.1186/1465-9921-9-1 |doi-access=free }}</ref> They were formerly known as ''Clara cells''.

Club cells are found in the ciliated simple epithelium. These cells may secrete [[glycosaminoglycan]]s to protect the bronchiole lining. Bronchiolar cells gradually increase in number as the number of [[goblet cell]]s decrease.

One of the main functions of club cells is to protect the bronchiolar [[epithelium]]. They do this by secreting a small variety of products, including club cell secretory protein [[uteroglobin]], and a solution similar in composition to [[pulmonary surfactant]]. They are also responsible for detoxifying harmful substances inhaled into the lungs. Club cells accomplish this with [[cytochrome P450]] enzymes found in their [[smooth endoplasmic reticulum]]. Club cells also act as a [[stem cell]], multiplying and differentiating into ciliated cells to regenerate the bronchiolar epithelium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Clara+cell|title = Clara cell}}</ref>