Fig. 2. Role of gap junctions (GJs) in cellular volume control.

a Schematic of solid growth stress driving swelling in neighboring cell which is prevented by inhibition of ion transport across GJs. b In the control case, the loaded cell shrinks and the neighboring cell swells. Inset shows the loading profile that increases over time. c Control case water flow rate $Q_{\mathrm{w}}=A{J}_{\mathrm{v}}$ across GJs and the membrane. d Control case ion flow rate $Q=A\dot{n}$ across GJs and the membrane. e When ion transport across GJs is inhibited (${\omega }_{\mathrm{g}}=L_{\mathrm{p},\mathrm{g}}=0$), there is negligible volume change in the neighboring cell. f Inhibition case water flow rate $Q_{\mathrm{w}}=A{J}_{\mathrm{w}}$ across GJs and the membrane. g Inhibition case ion flow rate $Q=AJ$ across GJs and the membrane.