Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

3.2K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
3.2K
Epithelial Tissues and Their Functions01:23

Epithelial Tissues and Their Functions

42.8K
Epithelial tissues are large sheets of cells covering all of the surfaces of the body. These surfaces can be internal or external, for example, skin, airways, the digestive tract, the urinary system, and the reproductive system. Hollow organs and body cavities that do not connect to the body's exterior, including blood vessels and serous membranes, are lined by epithelial tissue known as the endothelium.
Epithelial tissues provide the body's first line of protection from physical,...
42.8K
Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

8.3K
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...
8.3K
Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Simple Epithelium01:30

Classification of Epithelial Tissues: Simple Epithelium

15.9K
Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells that lines body cavities and blood vessels. The shape of the cells in the epithelium reflects the function of the tissue. Cells in simple squamous epithelium appear as thin scales with flat, elliptical nuclei that mirror the form of the cell.
Because of the thinness of the cells, simple squamous epithelium is present where the rapid passage of chemical compounds is observed. For example, the endothelium that lines the capillaries and vessels...
15.9K
Transcellular Transport of Solutes01:23

Transcellular Transport of Solutes

5.1K
Transcellular transport of solutes is the movement of substances like monosaccharides and amino acids through polarized cells. This transport mechanism is primarily seen in epithelial and endothelial cells aided by membrane transport proteins such as channels and transporters. The tight junctions between these cells confine the membrane proteins to the two sides of the cell. The epithelial cells have distinct apical and basolateral domains. In contrast, the endothelial cells show the luminal...
5.1K
Defense Mechanism Against Infection01:26

Defense Mechanism Against Infection

10.5K
Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
10.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

ZO-1 shuttles between apical junctional complexes and podosomes by riding ERK activation waves.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Multivalent afadin interaction promotes IDR-mediated condensate formation and junctional separation of epithelial cells.

Cell reports·2025
Same author

Cell position-based evaluation of mechanical features of cells in multicellular systems.

Journal of theoretical biology·2025
Same author

Low-affinity ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor are long-range signal transmitters in collective cell migration of epithelial cells.

Cell reports·2024
Same author

Low-affinity ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor are long-range signal transmitters during collective cell migration of epithelial cells.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same author

Vertex remodeling during epithelial morphogenesis.

Current opinion in cell biology·2024
Same journal

Horizontal transfer of mitochondria in cancer: The physiology reborn in disease?

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Spindle errors: A stress test for epithelial robustness.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Multicellular ecosystems: Linking cellular diversity to tissue function and disease.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Orchestrating the signaling-bias at the protease-activated receptor, PAR1.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

Crashing by design: Utilizing DNA damage for MCC differentiation.

Trends in cell biology·2026
Same journal

The value of a shared lab: Our insights.

Trends in cell biology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
11:17

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

12.3K

Epithelial barrier homeostasis.

Tetsuhisa Otani1

  • 1Laboratory for Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.

Trends in Cell Biology
|March 13, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Epithelial barriers maintain body integrity through tight junctions (TJs). This review covers how TJs prevent and repair defects, crucial for homeostasis and potentially facilitating transport.

Keywords:
Rho signalingcell competitioncell extrusionepithelial barrierepithelial homeostasistight junctions

More Related Videos

Organoid-Derived Epithelial Monolayer: A Clinically Relevant In Vitro Model for Intestinal Barrier Function
09:40

Organoid-Derived Epithelial Monolayer: A Clinically Relevant In Vitro Model for Intestinal Barrier Function

Published on: July 29, 2021

7.6K
Real-time Measurement of Epithelial Barrier Permeability in Human Intestinal Organoids
08:04

Real-time Measurement of Epithelial Barrier Permeability in Human Intestinal Organoids

Published on: December 18, 2017

15.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor
11:17

Sensing of Barrier Tissue Disruption with an Organic Electrochemical Transistor

Published on: February 10, 2014

12.3K
Organoid-Derived Epithelial Monolayer: A Clinically Relevant In Vitro Model for Intestinal Barrier Function
09:40

Organoid-Derived Epithelial Monolayer: A Clinically Relevant In Vitro Model for Intestinal Barrier Function

Published on: July 29, 2021

7.6K
Real-time Measurement of Epithelial Barrier Permeability in Human Intestinal Organoids
08:04

Real-time Measurement of Epithelial Barrier Permeability in Human Intestinal Organoids

Published on: December 18, 2017

15.1K

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Physiology
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Epithelia form essential barriers separating internal and external environments.
  • Tight junctions (TJs) are critical for sealing the paracellular space and maintaining epithelial barrier integrity.
  • Barrier integrity is constantly challenged by various factors, necessitating repair mechanisms for homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms of epithelial barrier defect prevention and repair.
  • To discuss the pathophysiological roles of epithelial barrier homeostasis.
  • To explore recent findings on controlled epithelial barrier defects facilitating paracellular transport.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on epithelial barrier homeostasis.
  • Synthesis of molecular mechanisms underlying barrier defect prevention and repair.
  • Discussion of pathophysiological implications and novel findings.

Main Results:

  • Epithelial barrier defects are actively prevented and repaired to maintain homeostasis.
  • Dysregulation of epithelial barrier homeostasis has significant pathophysiological roles.
  • Controlled barrier defects can occur to facilitate bulk paracellular transport.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding epithelial barrier homeostasis is crucial for preventing and repairing defects.
  • Epithelial barrier function is dynamic and can be modulated for specific physiological processes.
  • Further research into controlled barrier permeability could reveal new therapeutic strategies.