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Updated: Nov 8, 2025
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Models and Methods to Evaluate Transport of Drug Delivery Systems Across Cellular Barriers
Published on: October 17, 2013
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Paracellular transport: Opening the gates for growth
1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Division of Signaling and Functional Genomics at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Ludolf-Krehl-Strasse 13-17, D-68167 Mannheim, Germany.
Developmental Cell
|April 20, 2021
Summary
Cell junctions in epithelial barriers open to increase paracellular flux. Research reveals how altered cell adhesion and reduced acto-myosin tension work together to open cell vertices in the Drosophila follicular epithelium.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Epithelial Biology
Background:
- Epithelial barriers regulate paracellular flux.
- The opening of cell junctions is crucial for physiological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying the opening of cell vertices in the Drosophila follicular epithelium.
- To understand the roles of cell adhesion and acto-myosin tension in this process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized live imaging techniques in Drosophila.
- Analyzed changes in cell adhesion dynamics.
- Measured acto-myosin tension during junction opening.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that decreased cell adhesion precedes junction opening.
- Showed that relaxation of acto-myosin tension is essential for vertex opening.
- Identified a cooperative mechanism between adhesion and tension.
Conclusions:
- Cell adhesion and acto-myosin tension dynamically regulate epithelial paracellular flux.
- The findings provide insights into epithelial barrier dynamics and tissue morphogenesis.
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