Physiological relevance of epithelial geometry: New insights into the standing gradient model and the role of LI cadherin.

ABSTRACT: We introduce a mathematical model of an absorbing leaky epithelium to reconsider the problem formulated by Diamond and Bossert in 1967: whether "… some distinctive physiological properties of epithelia might arise as geometrical consequences of epithelial ultrastructure". A standing gradient model of the intercellular cleft (IC) is presented that includes tight junctions (TJ) and ion channels uniformly distributed along the whole cleft. This nonlinear system has an intrinsic homogeneous concentration and the spatial scale necessary to establish it along the cleft. These parameters have not been elucidated so far. We further provide non-perturbative analytical approximations for a broad range of parameters. We found that narrowing of the IC increases ion concentration dramatically and can t

SUBMITTER: Vereshchaga Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6303100 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature