Bøger af Gwen Johnston

Tight junctions (TJ) are cell adhesion structures or junction structures that are located at the uppermost portion of the adjacent epithelial or endothelial cells in organs and tissues. TJs comprise a branched network of sealing strands, where every strand acts independently. The main function of TJs is maintaining the relative stability of intracellular substances. It functions by closing or opening the intercellular pathways and by coordinating the entry and exit of molecules of different sizes and charges. TJs are also responsible for regulating the permeability of the paracellular barrier, preventing microbial invasion, regulating cell proliferation, and maintaining cell polarity. TJ proteins connect endothelial and epithelial cells, and are also responsible for creating specific barriers and channels for paracellular transport. This book contains some path-breaking studies related to barriers and channels formed by tight junction proteins. It will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and postgraduate students.

Tight junctions (TJ) close the gap between endothelial and epithelial cells against undesirable passage of water and solutes. The major protein families of the TJs include junctional adhesion molecules (JAM), claudins, angulins, and TJ-associated MARVEL proteins such as tricellulin and occludin. The majority of these proteins are related to the cytoskeleton through adapters such as zonula occludens (ZO) proteins. TJ proteins not only act as barriers but some of them also create water channels or paracellular ion channels. They are engaged in a variety of processes aside from barrier and channel functions. They may act as pathogen receptors and mediate immunological responses. TJ proteins are involved in a variety of inflammatory disorders as well as bacterial infections. They act as targets in the diagnostics and treatment of cancer tumor and they can also facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enabling metastasis and tumorigenesis. This book provides significant information to help develop a good understanding of tight junctions and its functions. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

Tight junctions (TJ) close the gap between endothelial and epithelial cells against undesirable passage of water and solutes. The major protein families of the TJs include junctional adhesion molecules (JAM), claudins, angulins, and TJ-associated MARVEL proteins such as tricellulin and occludin. The majority of these proteins are related to the cytoskeleton through adapters such as zonula occludens (ZO) proteins. TJ proteins not only act as barriers but some of them also create water channels or paracellular ion channels. They are engaged in a variety of processes aside from barrier and channel functions. They may act as pathogen receptors and mediate immunological responses. TJ proteins are involved in a variety of inflammatory disorders as well as bacterial infections. They act as targets in the diagnostics and treatment of cancer tumor and they can also facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition, enabling metastasis and tumorigenesis. This book provides significant information to help develop a good understanding of tight junctions and its functions. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.