Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carlos Ayala-Torres, Susanne M. Krug, Rita Rosenthal, Michael Fromm
Summary: Water transport in epithelia is regulated by tight junction proteins, with modulation of these proteins affecting ion and macromolecule permeability in tight and intermediate-tight epithelial cell lines. However, transepithelial water permeability is only affected in tight cell lines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jia-Chen E. Hu, Franziska Weiss, Christian Bojarski, Federica Branchi, Joerg-Dieter Schulzke, Michael Fromm, Susanne M. Krug
Summary: In remission of UC, tricellulin expression level and intestinal barrier functions were restored to normal after being impaired in active UC. This indicates a re-sealing of the impaired tricellular paracellular pathway and reduced uptake of antigens back to normal rates in remission of UC.
BMC GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Yuma Cho, Daichi Haraguchi, Kenta Shigetomi, Kenji Matsuzawa, Seiichi Uchida, Junichi Ikenouchi
Summary: This study revealed the role of tricellulin in regulating actomyosin organization at tricellular junctions, contributing to the formation of the epithelial barrier. Additionally, alpha-catenin was identified as a novel binding partner of tricellulin, bridging tricellulin attachment to actin cables and closing the gap at tricellular junctions.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Karem Awad, Christian Barmeyer, Christian Bojarski, Oliver Nagel, In-Fah M. Lee, Michal R. Schweiger, Joerg-Dieter Schulzke, Roland Buecker
Summary: This study investigated the pathophysiological mechanisms of diarrhea, constipation, and antigen uptake in mixed-type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-M). The findings showed that in IBS-M, chloride secretion was reduced and antigen permeability was increased, which contributed to a low-grade inflammation in the colon mucosa.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Li Yan, Cole W. Dwiggins, Rebecca A. Moriarty, Jae W. Jung, Udit Gupta, Ken D. Brandon, Kimberly M. Stroka
Summary: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) responds to mechanical cues and changes in substrate stiffness. The compromised function of the BBB is associated with neurological disorders and altered brain stiffness. Understanding the effects of matrix stiffness on BBB permeability could lead to new treatments for BBB dysfunction-related diseases.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Taichi Sugawara, Kyoko Furuse, Tetsuhisa Otani, Tomohiko Wakayama, Mikio Furuse
Summary: The study reveals that angulin-1 is responsible for forming the plasma membrane seal at tricellular contacts independently of tricellulin and claudins, maintaining the epithelial barrier function.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Hiroshi Shimada, Takayuki Kohno, Takumi Konno, Tadahi Okada, Kimihito Saito, Yuma Shindo, Shin Kikuchi, Mitsuhiro Tsujiwaki, Marie Ogawa, Motoki Matsuura, Tsuyoshi Saito, Takashi Kojima
Summary: Abnormality of tight junction proteins closely contributes to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the malignancy of various cancers. Angulin-1/lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) is a novel molecular constituent of tricellular contacts that has a barrier function. Loss of angulin-1/LSR correlates with the malignancy in various cancers, promoting the progression of endometriosis and endometrioid-endometrial carcinoma (EEC).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kizuku Ohwada, Takumi Konno, Takayuki Kohno, Masaya Nakano, Tsuyoshi Ohkuni, Ryo Miyata, Takuya Kakuki, Masuo Kondoh, Kenichi Takano, Takashi Kojima
Summary: This study revealed that HMGB1 impacts the barrier function of human nasal epithelial cells through TGF-beta signaling, with angulin-1/LSR playing a key role in this process. Manipulation of angulin-1/LSR led to changes in epithelial barrier function.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Helena Hader, Nina A. Hering, Joerg-Dieter Schulzke, Roland Buecker, Rita Rosenthal
Summary: The study demonstrates the antagonizing effects of myrrh against IL-13-induced barrier impairment in a human intestinal cell model. This suggests the potential use of myrrh as a treatment option for inflammatory bowel disease.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lucas Heils, Martina Schneemann, Ralf Gerhard, Joerg-Dieter Schulzke, Roland Buecker
Summary: The study investigated the impact of Clostridioides difficile binary toxin (CDT) on the intestinal epithelial barrier and found that sublethal concentrations of CDT induced barrier dysfunction with increased permeability and redistribution of tight junction proteins. This suggests that CDT may contribute to diarrhea by compromising the intestinal barrier function.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Akira C. Saito, Chisato Endo, Yugo Fukazawa, Tomohito Higashi, Hideki Chiba
Summary: MarvelD3 does not affect the morphology of TJ strands and barrier function in MDCK II cells. The carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail of tricellulin is dispensable for barrier improvement.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Takayuki Kohno, Takashi Kojima
Summary: A novel type of macropinocytosis has been identified as a trigger for the malignant progression of endometrial cancer. Inhibition of macropinocytosis promotes a persistent dormant state in cancer cells. This review focuses on the mechanisms of atypical macropinocytosis and its effects on cellular function.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rina Fujiwara-Tani, Shiori Mori, Ruiko Ogata, Rika Sasaki, Ayaka Ikemoto, Shingo Kishi, Masuo Kondoh, Hiroki Kuniyasu
Summary: CLDN4 is a crucial component of tight junctions in epithelial cells and is overexpressed in many epithelial malignancies. Changes in CLDN4 expression are associated with epigenetic factors, inflammation, and growth factor signaling. CLDN4 plays a role in maintaining the tumor microenvironment and acts as a barrier to anticancer drug entry.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Huang, Haolin Zhou, Tao Song, Bing Wang, Hongda Ge, Demeng Zhang, Peili Shen, Xia Qiu, Huajun Li
Summary: This study explored the protective properties of fecal microbiota derived from mice treated with sodium alginate (SA) and normal mice, both immunosuppressed by antibiotics and cyclophosphamide. SA intervention improved the diversity and composition of gut microbiota in normal mice. Fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) from SA-treated and normal mice reduced tissue damage, improved immune function, alleviated intestinal mucosal injury, and reduced gut inflammation. FMT also normalized gut microbiota and down-regulated inflammatory pathways. This research highlights the potential of SA and FMT in mitigating intestinal barrier damage and gut dysbiosis in immunosuppressed mice.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Atul K. Srivastava, Bharat Somireddy Venkata, Yan Y. Sweat, Heather R. Rizzo, Lea Jean-Francois, Li Zuo, Kathleen W. Kurgan, Patrick Moore, Nitesh Shashikanth, Izabela Smok, Joseph R. Sachleben, Jerrold R. Turner, Stephen C. Meredith
Summary: This study investigates the effects of S408 phosphorylation on occludin protein structure and demonstrates its role in regulating intercellular junction function through interactions with other components.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Rachel E. Stephenson, Tomohito Higashi, Ivan S. Erofeev, Torey R. Arnold, Marcin Leda, Andrew B. Goryachev, Ann L. Miller
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2019)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomohito Higashi, Hideki Chiba
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yukako Oda, Taichi Sugawara, Yuko Fukata, Yasushi Izumi, Tetsuhisa Otani, Tomohito Higashi, Masaki Fukata, Mikio Furuse
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Klaus W. Beyenbach, Frederike Schoene, Leonhard F. Breitsprecher, Felix Tiburcy, Mikio Furuse, Yasushi Izumi, Heiko Meyer, Sima Jonusaite, Aylin R. Rodan, Achim Paululat
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Yasushi Izumi, Kyoko Furuse, Mikio Furuse
Summary: A novel sSJ membrane protein, Hoka, was discovered to cooperate with other sSJ proteins to organize sSJs and maintain intestinal stem cell homeostasis through regulating aPKC and Yki activities in the Drosophila midgut.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Akira C. Saito, Tomohito Higashi, Yugo Fukazawa, Tetsuhisa Otani, Masashi Tauchi, Atsuko Y. Higashi, Mikio Furuse, Hideki Chiba
Summary: The study established a tricellulin/occludin-double knockout MDCK II cell model, which showed altered TJ structure and increased paracellular permeability. Mathematical simulation suggested that reduced crosslinks in TJ strands lead to higher permeability of ions and small molecules. Overexpression of occludin enhanced complexity of TJ strand network and improved barrier function.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Taichi Sugawara, Kyoko Furuse, Tetsuhisa Otani, Tomohiko Wakayama, Mikio Furuse
Summary: The study reveals that angulin-1 is responsible for forming the plasma membrane seal at tricellular contacts independently of tricellulin and claudins, maintaining the epithelial barrier function.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masayuki Watanabe, Tomohito Higashi, Kana Ozeki, Atsuko Y. Higashi, Kotaro Sugimoto, Hayato Mine, Hironori Takagi, Yuki Ozaki, Satoshi Muto, Naoyuki Okabe, Yuki Matsumura, Takeo Hasegawa, Yutaka Shio, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Hideki Chiba
Summary: This study identified claudin-15 as a potential positive marker for malignant pleural mesotheliomas, with high expression levels in 83% of MPM tissue samples. The specificity of CLDN15 was comparable to other markers in lung adenocarcinoma sections. CLDN15 showed low expression in non-mesothelial tumors, suggesting its potential clinical utility for MPM diagnosis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Atsuko Y. Higashi, Tomohito Higashi, Kyoko Furuse, Kana Ozeki, Mikio Furuse, Hideki Chiba
Summary: The folliculo-stellate (FS) cells in the anterior pituitary glands form follicular lumens sealed by tight junctions (TJs). Occludin and claudin-9 are major components of TJs in FS cells. Claudin-9 expression increases postnatally, showing developmental regulation, and other proteins like angulin-1, angulin-2, and tricellulin are localized at tricellular contacts of FS cells.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sachiko Fujiwara, Thanh Phuong Nguyen, Kyoko Furuse, Yugo Fukazawa, Tetsuhisa Otani, Mikio Furuse
Summary: The interaction of claudins with ZO proteins is not a prerequisite for tight junction formation at the most apical part of cell-cell contacts.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Akira C. Saito, Chisato Endo, Yugo Fukazawa, Tomohito Higashi, Hideki Chiba
Summary: MarvelD3 does not affect the morphology of TJ strands and barrier function in MDCK II cells. The carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail of tricellulin is dispensable for barrier improvement.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Microscopy
Akira C. Saito, Tomohito Higashi, Hideki Chiba
Summary: Tight junctions (TJs) are critical for controlling cell-cell junction and paracellular permeability. The TJ strands create a physical barrier against the diffusion of molecules. Recent studies have focused on understanding the mechanisms and relevance of TJ strand network morphology in barrier function. This review discusses the components and formation of TJ strands and speculates on their contribution to the establishment of the epithelial barrier.
Article
Cell Biology
Tomohito Higashi, Rachel E. Stephenson, Cornelia Schwayer, Karla Huljev, Atsuko Y. Higashi, Carl-Philipp Heisenberg, Hideki Chiba, Ann L. Miller
Summary: Epithelial barrier function is commonly analyzed using transepithelial electrical resistance or traceable macromolecules to measure changes in global barrier function. However, these methods lack sensitivity to detect local or transient barrier breaches and do not reveal the location of barrier leaks. To overcome these limitations, the zinc-based ultrasensitive microscopic barrier assay (ZnUMBA) was previously developed, which allows for detection of local tight junction leaks with high spatiotemporal resolution.
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Torey R. Arnold, Joseph H. Shawky, Rachel E. Stephenson, Kayla M. Dinshaw, Tomohito Higashi, Farah Huq, Lance A. Davidson, Ann L. Miller