A flat, squamous-like epithelial cell of mesodermal origin. It forms the mesothelium, which lines the body's serous cavities including the pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial spaces. This cell plays a crucial role in synthesizing and secreting lubricants, such as glycosaminoglycans and surfactants, which minimize friction between adjacent tissues during movement. [ GOC:tfm https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0721662544 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26106328 ]
Synonyms: mesotheliocyte
Term information
- FMA:66773
cellxgene_subset, human_reference_atlas
Mesothelial cells, which morphologically resemble squamous epithelial cells, express both epithelial markers (cytokeratins) and mesenchymal markers (vimentin), reflecting their mesodermal origin. They feature surface microvilli and apical-basal polarity. Under certain conditions, they can undergo mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. These cells also produce extracellular matrix proteins, maintain serosal homeostasis, and facilitate fluid transport.