A Laboratory Guide to the Tight Junction offers broad coverage of the unique methods required to investigate its characteristics. The methods are described in detail, including its biochemical and biophysical principles, step-by-step process, data analysis, troubleshooting, and optimization. The coverage includes various cell, tissue, and animal models. Chapter 1 provides the foundations of cell biology of tight junction. Chapter 2 covers the Biochemical approaches for paracellular channels and is followed by chapter 3 providing the Biophysical approaches. Chapter 4 describes and discusses Histological approaches for tissue fixation and preparation. Chapter 5 discusses Light microscopy, while chapter 6 presents Electron microscopic approaches. Chapter 7 covers Transgenic manipulation in cell cultures, including DNA and siRNA, Mutagenesis, and viral infection. Chapter 8 covers transgenic manipulation in mice, including: Knockout, Knockin, siRNA knockdown, GFP/LacZ reporter, and overexpression. The final chapter discusses the future developments of new approaches for tight junction research. Researchers and advanced students in bioscience working on topics of cell junction, ion channel and membrane protein will benefit from the described methods. Clinicians and pathologists interested in tissue barrier diseases will also benefit from the biochemical and biophysical characterization of tight junctions in organ systems, and their connection to human diseases.

The Paracellular Channel: Biology, Physiology and Disease serves as the first volume to offer a cohesive and unifying picture of the critical functions of paracellular channels (tight junctions) in different tissues. This new class of ion channel utilizes a completely different mechanism to create ion passage pathways across the cell junction. This volume outlines common principles that govern the organization and regulation of these diverse cellular structures, describes the methodology of study, and highlights the pathophysiologic consequence of abnormal structure and functions of the paracellular channels in human diseases. Coverage includes biochemical, biophysical, structural, physiologic analyses of the paracellular channel, and new technologies for recording and characterization.