title: Loss of tight junction barrier function and its role in cancer metastasis.
abstract: As the most apical structure between epithelial and endothelial cells, tight junctions (TJ) are well known as functioning as a control for the paracellular diffusion of ions and certain molecules. It has however, become increasingly apparent that the TJ has a vital role in maintaining cell to cell integrity and that the loss of cohesion of the structure can lead to invasion and thus metastasis of cancer cells. This article will present data showing how modulation of expression of TJ molecules results in key changes in TJ barrier function leading to the successful metastasis of a number of different cancer types.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK. martinta1@cf.ac.uk
authors.forename: Tracey A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Wen G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000502:physiology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000503:physiopathology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins