part of part of has characterizing marker set NS forest marker set of brush cell of tracheobronchial tree (Human lung). columnar/cuboidal epithelial cell brush cell of tracheobronchial tree 2010-06-29T03:22:46Z The brush cell of the tracheobronchial tree is a specialized type of epithelial cell situated in the lung's airways system. Characterized by their visually distinguishable brush-like apical surface, brush cells (also called tuft cells) are given their name due to the tuft of microvilli protruding into the lumen of the respiratory tract. The high electron density and presence of a prominent tubulovesicular system in the apical cytoplasm are other defining microscopic features. The primary function of brush cells is chemosensation within the tracheobronchial system, including the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. They have been identified as the pulmonary equivalent of taste receptor cells, acting as solitary chemosensory cells that serve as the primary line of defense and alarm signal against hazardous inhaled substances. Brush cells in the tracheobronchial tree express taste receptors and a taste transduction machinery which allow them to detect specific chemical signals from bacteria or environmental toxins and signal a downstream response such as protective reflexes like coughing and increased mucus secretion. Brush cells also act as physical barriers to help filtrate and clean the inhaled air, thus making an essential contribution to setting up the so-called mucociliary escalator. The tubulovesicular system within brush cells likely plays a role in transcytosis, which involves the movement of various substances across the epithelial barrier. Overall, the brush or tuft cells form an integral part of the airway's innate immune system, helping maintain a healthy and functional tracheobronchial tree. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) A rare type of columnar epithelial cell that is part of the tracheobronchial epithelium. This cell is characterized by a distinctive tuft of apical microvilli, which extends into the cytoplasm, and a pear-shaped morphology, broad at the base and tapering to a narrow apex. It plays vital roles in chemosensation, producing cytokines like IL-25, and enhancing mucociliary clearance through acetylcholine release to support mucus movement and airway defense. pulmonary brush cell https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002075 The marker set POU2F3, HOMER3, MYB can identify the Human cell type brush cell of tracheobronchial tree in the lung with a confidence of 0.56 (NS-Forest FBeta value). epithelial cell of tracheobronchial tree tuft cell Homo sapiens tracheobronchial epithelium