More on Cell Connection

 Yesterday I was waxing on about types of cells and how they are symbolic of our innate need for community and fellowship. So I kept thinking and started pondering how they do this and I arrived at cell junctions.

There are three basic types of cell junction (connection) desmosomes, tight junctions and gap junctions

 

 

A tight junction is an area where the membranes of two adjacent cells join together to form a barrier. Tight junctions bind cells together, prevent molecules from passing in between the cells, and also help to maintain the polarity of cells. Their most important functions are to help cells form a barrier that prevents molecules from getting through, and to stop proteins in the cell membrane from moving around. Tight junctions are often found at epithelial cells, which are cells that line the surface of the body and line body cavities. Not only do epithelial cells separate the body from the surrounding environment, they also separate surfaces within the body. 

 

Desmosomes play a crucial role in maintaining tissue integrity and strength by connecting adjacent cells through specialized proteins called cadherins. These structures are particularly important in tissues that experience mechanical stress, such as the skin and heart muscle. In other words it is our connections to our communities that can help us bounce back from trauma.

 

Gap junctions are membrane channels between adjacent cells that allow the direct exchange of cytoplasmic substances, such small molecules, substrates, and metabolites.

The main function of gap junctions is to connect cells together so that molecules may pass from one cell to the other. This allows for cell-to-cell communication, and makes it so that molecules can directly enter neighboring cells without having to go through the extracellular fluid surrounding the cells. Gap junctions are especially important during embryonic development, a time when neighboring cells must communicate with each other in order for them to develop in the right place at the right time. If gap junctions are blocked, embryos cannot develop normally.

Gap junctions make cells chemically or electrically coupled. This means that the cells are linked together and can transfer molecules to each other for use in reactions. Electrical coupling occurs in the heart, where cells receive the signal to contract the heart muscle at the same time through gap junctions. It also occurs in neurons, which can be connected to each other by electrical synapses in addition to the well-known chemical synapses that neurotransmitters are released from.

When a cell starts to die from disease or injury, it sends out signals through its gap junctions. These signals can cause nearby cells to die even if they are not diseased or injured. This is called the “bystander effect”, since the nearby cells are innocent bystanders that become victims. However, sometimes groups of adjacent cells need to die during development, so gap junctions facilitate this process. In addition, cells can also send therapeutic compounds to each other through gap junctions, and gap junctions are being researched as a method of therapeutic drug delivery.

Lets start with tight junctions between cells. Can you think of a time when spiritually for bad theology not to penetrate your membrane? I can and what protects us? The body the cells to which we are attached. 

Next let's look at desmosomes. These types of connections provide structural integrity in cells like the heart that need elasticity to bounce back. In her book Rising Strong author Brene Brown talks about resiliency and elasticity the ability to bounce back and pick yourself up to the goal of living wholeheartedly.  Once again this is achieved by being in connection to other cells (the body of Christ). It is with the help of our sisters and brothers that we can rise again from trauma and be resilient.

The final type of cell connection is gap junctions. These are chemical and electrical connections. In other words connections without physical contact, that keep us connected and can act therapeutically in our healing or destructively if they are damaged or don't exist. I think of this as YouTube broadcasts, podcasts, books and virtual contacts. Sometimes I listen to a song or a TedTalk or an online sermon and God tells me exactly what I need. I know these sources can transfer just as much truth in to my life as anything if I simply let them.

So connection it can protect us, support us or heal us. In a healthy organism we have all three types