Caveolae are flask-shaped plasma membrane invaginations formed by constitutive 
caveolin proteins and regulatory cavin proteins. Caveolae harbor a range of 
signaling components such as receptors, ion channels and regulatory molecules. 
There is now increasing evidence that caveolins and cavins play an important 
role in a variety of diseases. However, the mechanisms by which these caveolar 
proteins affect lung health and disease are still under investigation, with 
emerging data suggesting complex roles in disease pathophysiology. This review 
summarizes the current state of understanding of how caveolar proteins 
contribute to lung structure and function and how their altered expression 
and/or function can influence lung diseases.