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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Three-dimensional Quantification of Intestinal Mucus Using Whole-mount Tissue Imaging
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The mucosal barrier at a glance.

Marion M France1, Jerrold R Turner2,3

  • 1Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy), Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 20 Shattuck St, TH1428, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Journal of Cell Science
|January 8, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mucosal barriers, crucial for defense, selectively control passage via epithelial cells and tight junctions. Their dysfunction, involving distinct pathways and epithelial damage, contributes to disease.

Keywords:
Barrier functionEpitheliaIntestinal diseaseMucosaPermeabilityTight junction

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Mucosal barriers are vital for distinguishing self from non-self and protecting against pathogens.
  • Epithelial cells and their secretions form these essential barriers.
  • Selective paracellular flux is necessary, allowing passage of solutes and water while blocking pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular components and pathways of the selectively permeable mucosal barrier.
  • To discuss interactions leading to barrier dysfunction and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature.
  • Synthesis of knowledge on tight junction pathways and epithelial damage routes.

Main Results:

  • Mucosal barriers utilize tight junctions with distinct flux routes (two junction-dependent, one independent).
  • Selective permeability is regulated by molecular composition and specific pathways.
  • Dysregulation of these pathways or epithelial damage compromises barrier integrity.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the molecular basis of mucosal barrier function is key to addressing diseases associated with barrier loss.
  • Targeting specific pathways may offer therapeutic strategies for mucosal barrier dysfunction.