Dr. Jerrold Turner discusses the barrier function of the intestine, how the permeability of tight junctions in the gut epithelium is modulated, and the impact of this modulation on homeostasis and health.

Mucosal surfaces are lined by epithelial cells. In the intestine, the epithelium separates, and therefore regulates interactions between the immune system and luminal materials, including dietary antigens and microbes. In the absence of specific transporters, epithelial cell membranes are nearly impermeant to hydrophilic materials. However, the ultimate success of the barrier depends on the ability of epithelial cells to prevent unrestricted paracellular flux across the shunt pathway. Intercellular tight junctions form selectively-permeable seals that mediate paracellular flux.

The biophysical characteristics of these tight junction seals are modulated during development and by physiological stimuli, immune cell signaling, and enteric pathogens. In turn, tight junction selective permeability modifies nutrient transport, mucosal immune tone, and pathogen clearance. Recent advances have shed new light on the mechanisms of tight junction regulation and the impact of barrier modulation on mucosal homeostasis and health, pathogenic progression, and resolution of disease.

Key Topics Include:

  • Tissue barriers are dynamic and selectively-permeable
  • Barrier function can be regulated by one tight junction-independent and two distinct tight junction-dependent mechanisms
  • The immune system selectively activates specific trans-tight junction flux pathways
    Subtle changes in mucosal homeostasis induced by barrier modulation can markedly impact overall health

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#ExpertAnswers: Jerry Turner on Inflammation and Immunophysiology

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Presenters

Jerrold R. Turner, ;MD, PhD

Jerrold R. Turner, MD, PhD

Professor of Pathology; Professor of Medicine
Harvard Medical School

Dr. Jerrold Turner is a physician-scientist who has made and continues to make contributions to our understanding of epithelial and mucosal biology and gastrointestinal pathophysiology and is an active as an educator, mentor, surgical pathologist, and leader. His interests are focused on how epithelia establish, maintain, and regulate barriers. This fundamental property is essential for survival of multicellular organisms and allows controlled interactions with the external environment and compartmentalization of distinct tissues. The structure that maintains these barriers and regulates flux between cells is the tight junction. The primary goal of his laboratory is to understand the biology of the tight junction. They take a multidisciplinary approach that integrates cell and developmental biology, transport physiology, electrophysiology, structural biology, molecular biology, and mucosal immunology to define fundamentals of structure and function; understand mechanisms of regulation in vitro and in vivo models; determine the contributions of barrier dysfunction to gastrointestinal disease; understand the role of the epithelial barrier in regulating other mucosal processes, e.g. immune responses; and develop novel means to correct barrier function and restore health.

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