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Review
. 2009 Apr;1788(4):864-71.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2008.08.027. Epub 2008 Oct 8.

Cytokine regulation of tight junctions

Christopher T Capaldo  1 , Asma Nusrat
Affiliations
Review

Cytokine regulation of tight junctions

Christopher T Capaldo et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009 Apr.

Abstract

Epithelial and endothelial tight junctions act as a rate-limiting barrier between an organism and its environment. Continuing studies have highlighted the regulation of the tight junction barrier by cytokines. Elucidation of this interplay is vital for both the understanding of physiological tight junction regulation and the etiology of pathological conditions. This review will focus on recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of tight junctions modulation by cytokines.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Mechanisms of TJ remodeling by cytokines
Mechanisms of paracellular permeability modulation by cytokines. The figure depicts cells in a monolayer undergoing stimulation and tight junction remodeling that results in barrier dysfunction. 1) In response to cytokine activity, tight junction structure is maintained but tight junction protein composition is altered. Tight junction proteins that confer “tight” barrier properties are replaced with those with “leaky” properties. 2) Internalization of TJ structures is due acto-myosin contractility. The pathways are cytokine specific yet converge on MLC.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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