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Tight Junctions

Tight Junctions

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...

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring Junctions

Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...

Laminins are the Adhesive Proteins of Basal Lamina

Laminins are the Adhesive Proteins of Basal Lamina

Laminins are heterotrimeric proteins with high molecular mass found in the extracellular matrix. Each laminin molecule is composed of three chains, viz. alpha, beta, and gamma, coded by five, four, and three paralogous genes, respectively. Laminins are categories based on the compositions of the three chains.
In humans, the five forms of alpha chains are LAMA 1, LAMA 2, LAMA 3, LAMA 4, and LAMA 5. The four forms of beta chains are LAMB 1, LAMB 2, LAMB 3, and LAMB 4. The three forms of gamma...

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

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Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM

Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM

The basal lamina is a thin extracellular layer that lies underneath the cells and separates them from other tissues. The three layers of the basal lamina are lamina lucida, lamina densa and lamina reticularis. The basal lamina, a mixture of glycoproteins and collagen, provides an attachment site for the epithelium, separating it from underlying connective tissue. The framework of basal lamina has other essential proteins such as laminins mesh, perlecan, entactin, and type IV collagen.
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Adherens Junctions

Adherens Junctions

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Adherens Junctions are Dynamic

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Studying the Epithelial Effects of Intestinal Inflammation In Vitro on Established Murine Colonoids

Author Spotlight: Studying the Epithelial Effects of Intestinal Inflammation In Vitro on Established Murine Colonoids

Published on: June 2, 2023

Basal IFN-λ2/3 expression mediates tight junction formation in human epithelial cells.

Yagmur Keser¹, Camila Metz-Zumaran^1,2, Zina M Uckeley¹

¹Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

The EMBO Journal

|September 1, 2025

Summary

Basal type-III interferon (IFN-λ) expression is crucial for epithelial barrier integrity, promoting tight junction formation. This expression relies on cGAS-STING signaling and is regulated by the Hippo pathway.

Keywords:

Basal IFNλ Signaling Epithelial Barrier Function Hippo Signaling Pathway Tight Junctions cGAS-STING Pathway

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Last Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Studying the Epithelial Effects of Intestinal Inflammation In Vitro on Established Murine Colonoids

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Published on: June 2, 2023

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

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Published on: October 19, 2018

Co-Culture of Murine Small Intestine Epithelial Organoids with Innate Lymphoid Cells

Co-Culture of Murine Small Intestine Epithelial Organoids with Innate Lymphoid Cells

Published on: March 23, 2022

Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Epithelial Biology

Background:

Type-III interferons (IFN-λs) are vital for antiviral defense and maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier function.
Basal IFN-λ expression occurs even without pathogens, but its regulation and function remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the mechanisms regulating basal IFN-λ expression.
To determine the functional role of basal IFN-λ expression in epithelial barrier development and maintenance.

Main Methods:

Investigated basal IFN-λ2/3 expression in cellular epithelium.
Utilized cGAS-STING and Hippo pathway signaling analysis.
Assessed epithelial barrier function, tight junction formation, and Claudin-2 expression.

Main Results:

Basal IFN-λ2/3 expression correlates with intact epithelial tight junctions and barrier function.
Expression depends on cGAS-STING-mediated mitochondrial DNA detection.
The Hippo pathway inhibits basal IFN-λ2/3 at low cell densities.
IFN-λ2/3 suppresses Claudin-2, promoting barrier formation during cell confluency.
Absence of basal IFN-λ2/3 impairs tight junction development and barrier function.

Conclusions:

Basal IFN-λ2/3 expression is essential for proper epithelial barrier formation and integrity.
This pathway is regulated by cellular density and intrinsic signaling pathways (cGAS-STING, Hippo).
IFN-λs play a critical role in maintaining epithelial homeostasis under steady-state conditions, beyond pathogen defense.