Na-Caprate-Induced Increase in MDCK II Epithelial Cell Leak Pathway Permeability and Opening Number is Associated with Disruption of Basal F-Actin Organization

This study determines the underlying change in the openings in the epithelial tight junction permeability barrier structure that leads to a change in the paracellular permeability to macromolecules (the Leak Pathway) and connects this to disruption of specific F-actin structures within the cells. It provides important and novel insights into how tight junction permeability to macromolecules is modulated by specific changes to cellular and tight junction composition/organization.