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Leaks in the epithelial barrier caused by spontaneous and TNF‐α‐induced single‐cell apoptosis
Author(s) -
Gitter Alfred H.,
Bendfeldt Kerstin,
Schulzke Jörg-Dieter,
Fromm Michael
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.99-0898com
Subject(s) - apoptosis , tumor necrosis factor alpha , programmed cell death , tight junction , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , cell , necrosis , biophysics , biology , immunology , biochemistry , genetics
Current opinion assumes epithelial integrity during spontaneous apoptotic cell death. We measured, for the first time, the local conductances associated with apoptoses and show leaks of up to 280 nS (mean 48 ± 19 nS) in human intestinal epithelium. The results disprove the dogma that isolated cell apoptosis occurs without affecting the epithelial cell permeability barrier. After induction by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) the apoptotic leaks were dramatically enhanced: not only was the frequency increased by threefold, but the mean conductance also increased by 12‐fold (597±98 nS). Thus, apoptosis accounted for about half (56%) of the TNF‐α‐induced permeability increase whereas the other half was caused by degradation of tight junctions in nonapoptotic areas. Hence, spontaneous and induced apoptosis hollow out the intestinal barrier and may facilitate loss of solutes and uptake of noxious agents.—Gitter, A. H., Bendfeldt, K., Schulzke, J.‐D., Fromm, M. Leaks in the epithelial barrier caused by spontaneous and TNF‐α‐induced single‐cell apoptosis. FASEB J. 14, 1749–1753 (2000)