The structure of tight junctions in the tracheal epithelium may not correlate with permeability.

To test the hypothesis that cigarette smoke produces changes in the morphology of tight junctions guinea pigs were exposed to cigarette smoke or air in a previously standardized fashion (Simani et al. 1974). Permeability is greatest one half hour following exposure to cigarette smoke (Hulbert et al. 1981). The animals were sacrificed at that time. The tracheal epithelium was studied using both thin-section and freeze-fracture techniques. A quantitative analysis of the organization and integrity of junctional complexes was performed for each animal. Organization was assessed by measuring and comparing areas delimited by PF fibers and EF furrows. PF fiber integrity was assessed by measuring uninterrupted lengths of fibers and furrows from freeze-fracture replicas. This assessment did not demonstrate a change in tight-junction morphology following exposure to cigarette smoke.