title: Cytoskeletal regulation of epithelial barrier function during inflammation.
abstract: Increased epithelial permeability is a common and important consequence of mucosal inflammation that results in perturbed body homeostasis and enhanced exposure to external pathogens. The integrity and barrier properties of epithelial layers are regulated by specialized adhesive plasma membrane structures known as intercellular junctions. It is generally believed that inflammatory stimuli increase transepithelial permeability by inducing junctional disassembly. This review highlights molecular events that lead to disruption of epithelial junctions during inflammation. We specifically focus on key mechanisms of junctional regulation that are dependent on reorganization of the perijunctional F-actin cytoskeleton. We discuss critical roles of myosin-II-dependent contractility and actin filament turnover in remodeling of the F-actin cytoskeleton that drive disruption of epithelial barriers under different inflammatory conditions. Finally, we highlight signaling pathways induced by inflammatory mediators that regulate reorganization of actin filaments and junctional disassembly in mucosal epithelia.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA. Andrei_Ivanov@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Andrei I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Ivanov
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Parkos
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nusrat
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D016764:Cell Polarity; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D024462:Myosin Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D024462:Myosin Type II