Studies on cell junctions in an ex vivo human lung infection model

Cell junctions are multiprotein complexes within tissues representing the direct contact points of adjacent cells or between cells and the extracellular matrix. They function especially as paracellular barrier of epithelial and endothelial cells and control paracellular permeability. Impaired function of cell junctions in lung tissue promotes the translocation of pathogens and pathogen-derived products, induction of inflammation and lung edema formation. This loss of pulmonary barrier function is a critical step in the progress from simple community-acquired pneumonia to severe pneumonia and sepsis. However, onl…