title: Methods to assess tissue permeability.
abstract: An essential requirement for adequate organ performance is the formation of permeability barriers that separate and maintain compartments of distinctive structure and function. The endothelial cell lining of the vasculature defines a semipermeable barrier between the blood and interstitial spaces of all organs. Disruption of the endothelial cell barrier can result in increased permeability and vascular leak. These effects are associated with multiple systemic disease processes and can accompany acute tissue responses to injury. The mechanisms that control barrier function are complex and their full understanding requires a multidisciplinary approach. The use of in vivo permeability data often complements molecular findings and adds power to the studies. The interaction of multiple cell types and tissues present only in mammalian models allows for testing of hypothesis and establishing the physiological significance of the results. In this chapter we describe simple methods that can be used systematically to measure the permeability profile of several organs.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Genetics Medicine and Integrative Systems Biology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors: Juan C
authors: JC
authors: Ibla
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Khoury
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000502:physiology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008863:Microspheres; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods