Dynamic properties of the tight junction barrier

A principal role of tight junctions is to seal the apical intercellular space and limit paracellular flux of ions and molecules. Despite the fact that tight junctions form heavily cross‐linked structures, functional studies have fostered the hypothesis that the tight junction barrier is dynamic and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2012-06, Vol.1257 (1), p.77-84
Main Author: Weber, Christopher R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Barriers
claudin
Claudins - metabolism
Conductance
Control
Dynamic models
Dynamics
Epithelial Cells - metabolism
Flux
FRAP
Humans
Mathematical models
Membrane Proteins - metabolism
Molecular Structure
occludin
Occludin - metabolism
Pathways
Permeability
tight junction
Tight Junctions - chemistry
Tight Junctions - metabolism
ZO-1
Zonula Occludens-1 Protein - metabolism
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Summary:A principal role of tight junctions is to seal the apical intercellular space and limit paracellular flux of ions and molecules. Despite the fact that tight junctions form heavily cross‐linked structures, functional studies have fostered the hypothesis that the tight junction barrier is dynamic and defined by opening and closing events. However, it has been impossible to directly measure tight junction barrier function with sufficient resolution to detect such events. Nevertheless, recent electrophysiological and sieving studies have provided tremendous insight into the presence of at least two pathways of trans‐tight junction flux: a high‐capacity ion‐selective “pore” pathway and a low‐capacity “leak” pathway that allows the passage of macromolecules. Furthermore, it is now known that the tight junction molecular structure is highly dynamic and that dynamics are correlated with barrier function. Taken together, these data support a dynamic model of tight junction conductance and suggest that regulation of tight junction openings and closings may provide sensitive means of barrier regulation.
ISSN:0077-8923
1749-6632
DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06528.x