The Role of Claudin‐Based Tight Junctions in Morphogenesis

In morphogenetic events during developmental processes, the hydrostatic pressure caused by fluid accumulation is thought to be an important factor determining the shape of epithelial structures. Recent studies using loss of function of claudins have demonstrated that tight junctions, by their control of fluid accumulation, have crucial roles in morphogenesis. Interestingly, both the barrier and the channel functions of tight junctions appear to contribute to morphogenesis.