Disruption of the permeability barrier (zonula occludens) between intestinal epithelial cells by lethal doses of endotoxin.

A freeze-fracture technique was used to examine the most apical intercellular junctional complex between intestinal epithelial cells (the tight or occluding junction) in mice after challenge with endotoxin. Some of these junctions were disrupted after challenge and may be a site for leakage of microbial agents from the lumen.