STK11 is required for the normal program of ciliated cell differentiation in airways.

The functional properties of mucosal surfaces are dependent on establishing the correct proportions of specialized epithelial cell types. Multiciliated cells (also known as ciliated cells) are evolutionarily conserved and functionally indispensable epithelial cells, as suggested by the link between ciliated cell dysfunction and chronic human disease. Ciliated cell differentiation is an ordered process that involves initial cell fate determination and multiciliogenesis.