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Related Concept Videos

Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

6.2K
Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
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Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

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The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight...
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Tension Response at Adherens Junctions01:26

Tension Response at Adherens Junctions

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The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
α-Catenin as a Mechanosensory Protein
The α-catenin of adherens junctions is an allosteric protein with three VH (vinculin...
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Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade01:29

Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade

4.1K
The site of chemical communication between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber is called the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The end of the motor neuron at the NMJ divides into a cluster of synaptic end bulbs. The cytoplasm of these bulbs consists of synaptic vesicles enclosing acetylcholine molecules, the principal neurotransmitter released at the NMJ. The region opposite the synaptic bulb that ends in the muscle fiber is called the motor end plate, which has acetylcholine receptors. Within the...
4.1K
Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

55.9K
Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...
55.9K
Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

8.8K
The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique
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Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique

Published on: May 26, 2021

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Target specific tight junction modulators.

Joël Brunner1, Sakthikumar Ragupathy1, Gerrit Borchard1

  • 1Section of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|February 22, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Target specific tight junction modulators enhance drug absorption by overcoming epithelial barriers. Further development is crucial for their clinical and commercial success, improving drug bioavailability.

Keywords:
ClaudinEpithelial permeabilityOccludinParacellular pathwayTight junctionsZonula occludens

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In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability
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In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 16, 2025

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique
06:43

Functional Assessment of Intestinal Tight Junction Barrier and Ion Permeability in Native Tissue by Ussing Chamber Technique

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In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability
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In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches to Determine Intestinal Epithelial Cell Permeability

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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
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Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Delivery
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Intercellular tight junctions form barriers limiting paracellular drug absorption in epithelia and endothelium.
  • Permeation enhancers (PEs) are used to improve drug bioavailability and organ deposition.
  • Novel PEs, or target specific tight junction modulators (TJMs), offer defined mechanisms of action over older, unspecific PEs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the development and challenges of target specific tight junction modulators (TJMs) for enhanced drug delivery.
  • To highlight the advantages of TJMs with specific mechanisms of action.
  • To emphasize the need for increased focus on TJM development for therapeutic and economic benefits.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of first-generation permeation enhancers (PEs) and novel target specific tight junction modulators (TJMs).
  • Analysis of mechanisms of action for different classes of PEs.
  • Evaluation of clinical trial data and commercialization challenges for TJMs.

Main Results:

  • First-generation PEs exhibit unspecific interactions, while newer TJMs target specific physiological pathways.
  • TJMs offer a defined mechanism of action, potentially improving drug transport.
  • Limited clinical trial entry and in vivo safety/efficacy issues hinder TJM commercialization.

Conclusions:

  • Target specific tight junction modulators represent a promising advancement in drug delivery.
  • Overcoming safety and efficacy hurdles is critical for the clinical translation of TJMs.
  • Increased research and development focus on TJMs could significantly improve current and future drug therapies.