Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
06:50
Author Spotlight: Development and Characterization of 2D Intestinal Monolayer Models from Bovine Organoids for Pathogen Interaction Studies
Published on: June 14, 2024
1.9K
Basolateral pressure challenges mammary epithelial cell monolayer integrity, in vitro
Katharina S Mießler1, Constanze Vitzthum1, Alexander G Markov2
1Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
Cytotechnology
|August 31, 2017
Summary
Mammary gland epithelial cells respond to hydrostatic pressure by altering barrier properties. This study developed a novel Ussing chamber method to demonstrate these pressure-induced effects in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Mammary gland epithelium experiences hydrostatic pressure variations during milk accumulation and removal.
- Epithelial barrier integrity is crucial and relies on tight junctions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of hydrostatic pressure on mammary epithelial barrier properties in vitro.
- To test the hypothesis that basal hydrostatic pressure affects tight junction function.
Main Methods:
- Modification of a conventional Ussing chamber to apply hydrostatic pressure.
- Culturing HC11 mammary epithelial cell monolayers.
- Measuring transepithelial resistance and short-circuit current under varying hydrostatic pressures.
- Assessing monolayer integrity using fluorescence immunohistochemistry for tight junction proteins.
Main Results:
- Increased basal hydrostatic pressure decreased transepithelial resistance and increased short-circuit current.
- These electrophysiological changes were observed even with short, physiological-like pressure exposures.
- Monolayer integrity remained largely unaffected, and the observed effects were reversible.
Conclusions:
- The modified Ussing chamber is suitable for studying hydrostatic pressure effects on epithelial monolayers.
- Decreased resistance and increased current suggest protective responses to hydrostatic pressure.
- Mammary epithelial cells exhibit adaptive electrophysiological changes in response to hydrostatic pressure.
