Mechanisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced leaks in intestine epithelial barrier

► Disruption of tight junction relates to TNF-α induced Caco-2 cell hyperpermeability. ► NF-κB mediates TNF-α signal in above process. ► Early NF-κB activation may not be the downstream but be upstream affaires of cytoskeleton rearrangement. ► NF-КB/MLCK/MLC phosphorylation is crucial to regulate tight junction of Caco-2 cell.