CD3+ (green) T lymhocytes infiltrate the mucosa and E-cadherin (red) labeled epithelium when channels are active.

Albumin (pseudocolor) is normally retained within blood vessels (left). In GVHD (center and right), albumin leaks from vessels, but in mice lacking epithelial MLCK (right) albumin accumulates between epithelial cells (arrow).

Size- and charge-selective tight junction permeability increases promote resolution of infection.

Occludin and caspase-3 expression are coordinately reduced in Crohn's disease patient biopsies.

Neuronal activation in the thalamus of control mice (left) and mice with intestinal barrier loss (right).

A structure-based screen identifies a novel approach that may lead to new IBD therapies.