Tuft cell

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Tuft cells, also known as brush cells, caveolated cells, multivesicular cells, or fibrillovesicular cells, are a type of epithelial cell found in the mammalian body. They are named for their characteristic "tuft" of microvilli, which protrude into the lumen of the organ in which they are found.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Tuft cells are tall, columnar cells that are most easily identified by the long, stiff microvilli that project from their apical surface. These microvilli give the cells a "tufted" appearance, hence their name. The microvilli are supported by a core of actin filaments, which are linked to the cell membrane by myosin-I.

File:Tuft cell.png
A diagram of a tuft cell, showing the characteristic "tuft" of microvilli.

Function[edit | edit source]

The exact function of tuft cells is not fully understood, but they are thought to play a role in sensory transduction. They are known to express a variety of chemosensory receptors, and they have been shown to respond to a wide range of chemical stimuli. In the intestine, for example, tuft cells can detect the presence of parasites and trigger an immune response.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Abnormalities in tuft cell function have been implicated in a number of diseases. For example, tuft cell metaplasia - a condition in which tuft cells proliferate abnormally - has been observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. In addition, some forms of cancer, including adenocarcinoma of the lung and pancreatic cancer, have been linked to tuft cell dysfunction.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD