整肠生对溃疡性结肠炎 小鼠肠上皮屏障的保护作用

目的探讨整肠生对溃疡性结肠炎小鼠肠道紧密连接蛋白表达以及对氧化应激反应的影响。方法选用雄性8~10周龄C57BL/6小鼠40只,随机分为4组:对照组、模型组(3%DSS)、5-ASA组(3%DSS+5-ASA 200mg/kg灌胃)和整肠生组(3%DSS+联合整肠生及5-ASA灌胃),每组10只,造模7d。观察各组小鼠便血程度、组织学损伤情况,通过投射电镜观察各组肠道上皮间紧密连接改变情况,应用Western blot和RT-PCR的方法,检测小鼠结肠黏膜紧密连接蛋白Occludin、ZO-1、Claudin-2的表达情况。结果 (1)与模型组比较,5-ASA组和整肠生组小鼠便血程度明显减轻,DAI评分显著降低(P0.05)。整肠生组与5-ASA组比较,便血减轻,DAI评分降低(P0.05)。(2)电镜显示,对照组肠上皮间紧密连接呈一条致密条带,结构完整,见细胞桥粒,微绒毛光滑、排列整齐,细胞间隙狭窄;模型组肠上皮间紧密连接结构松散、模糊、密度降低,桥粒结构消失,微绒毛稀疏,短缩且长短不一,细胞间隙增宽;各治疗组的紧密连接的破坏情况较模型组有不同程度的改善,整肠生组紧密连接清晰,细胞间隙缩窄,微绒毛排列整齐,出现细胞桥粒。(3)应用Western blot和Real time-PCR法检测,与正常组相比,模型组Occludin、ZO-1蛋白和mRNA表达显著下降,Claudin-2表达显著上调(P0.05);各治疗组较模型组Occludin、ZO-1蛋白表达上调,Claudin-2蛋白表达下调(P0.05),整肠生组较单用5-ASA组更明显提高Occludin、ZO-1蛋白和mRNA表达。(4)与正常组相比,模型组MDA含量增高,SOD活性降低,与5-ASA组相比,整肠生组能更显著地降低MDA含量,提高SOD活性(P0.05)。结论联合应用整肠生通过调节紧密连接蛋白Occludin、ZO-1的表达和降低氧化应激反应,来改善溃疡性结肠炎小鼠肠上皮屏障功能。     

Colocalization of tight junction proteins, occludin and ZO-1, and glucose transporter GLUT1 in cells of the blood-ocular barrier in the mouse eye

 The facilitative glucose transporter GLUT1 is abundant in cells of the blood-ocular barrier and serves as a glucose transport mechanism in the barrier. To see the relationship between the glucose transfer function and junctional proteins in the barrier, we examined the localization of GLUT1 and the tight junction proteins, occludin and ZO-1, in the mouse eye. Their localization in the retina, ciliary body, and iris was visualized by double-immunofluorescence microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy. Occludin and ZO-1 were colocalized at tight junctions of the cells of the barrier: retinal pigment epithelial cells, non-pigmented epithelial cells of the ciliary body, and endothelial cells of GLUT1-positive blood vessels. Occludin was restricted to these cells of the barrier. ZO-1 was found, in addition, in sites not functioning as a barrier: the outer limiting membrane in the retina, in the cell border between pigmented and non-pigmented epithelial cells in the ciliary body, and GLUT1-negative blood vessels. These observations show that localization of occludin is restricted to tight junctions of cells of the barrier, whereas ZO-1 is more widely distributed. Accepted: 7 September 1998     

Restoration of tight junction structure and barrier function by down-regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in ras-transformed Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

In the Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cell line, the proteins occludin and ZO-1 are structural components of the tight junctions that seal the paracellular spaces between the cells and contribute to the epithelial barrier function. In Ras-transformed Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 were absent from cell-cell contacts but were present in the cytoplasm, and the adherens junction protein E-cadherin was weakly expressed. After treatment of the Ras-transformed cells with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1) inhibitor PD98059, which blocks the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 were recruited to the cell membrane, tight junctions were assembled, and E-cadherin protein expression was induced. Although it is generally believed that E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion is required for tight junction assembly, the recruitment of occludin to the cell-cell contact area and the restoration of epithelial cell morphology preceded the appearance of E-cadherin at cell-cell contacts. Both electron microscopy and a fourfold increase in the transepithelial electrical resistance indicated the formation of functional tight junctions after MEK1 inhibition. Moreover, inhibition of MAPK activity stabilized occludin and ZO-1 by differentially increasing their half-lives. We also found that during the process of tight junction assembly after MEK1 inhibition, tyrosine phosphorylation of occludin and ZO-1, but not claudin-1, increased significantly. Our study demonstrates that down-regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway causes the restoration of epithelial cell morphology and the assembly of tight junctions in Ras-transformed epithelial cells and that tyrosine phosphorylation of occludin and ZO-1 may play a role in some aspects of tight junction formation.     

ZO-1 controls endothelial adherens junctions,cell–cell tension,angiogenesis, and barrier formation

Intercellular junctions are crucial for mechanotransduction, but whether tight junctions contribute to the regulation of cell–cell tension and adherens junctions is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the tight junction protein ZO-1 regulates tension acting on VE-cadherin–based adherens junctions, cell migration, and barrier formation of primary endothelial cells, as well as angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. ZO-1 depletion led to tight junction disruption, redistribution of active myosin II from junctions to stress fibers, reduced tension on VE-cadherin and loss of junctional mechanotransducers such as vinculin and PAK2, and induced vinculin dissociation from the α-catenin–VE-cadherin complex. Claudin-5 depletion only mimicked ZO-1 effects on barrier formation, whereas the effects on mechanotransducers were rescued by inhibition of ROCK and phenocopied by JAM-A, JACOP, or p114RhoGEF down-regulation. ZO-1 was required for junctional recruitment of JACOP, which, in turn, recruited p114RhoGEF. ZO-1 is thus a central regulator of VE-cadherin–dependent endothelial junctions that orchestrates the spatial actomyosin organization, tuning cell–cell tension, migration, angiogenesis, and barrier formation.     

MMPs contribute to TNF-alpha-induced alteration of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in vitro

The epithelial cells of the choroid plexus separate the central nervous system from the blood forming the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier. The choroid plexus is the main source of CSF, whose composition is markedly changed during pathological disorders, for example regarding matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases (TIMPs). In the present study, we analyzed the impact of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) on the blood-CSF barrier using an in vitro model based on porcine choroid plexus epithelial cells (PCPEC). TNF- evoked distinct inflammatory processes as shown by mRNA upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. The cytokine caused a drastic decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance within several hours representing an enhanced permeability of PCPEC monolayers. In addition, the distribution of tight junction proteins was altered. Moreover, MMP activity in PCPEC supernatants was significantly increased by TNF-, presumably due to a diminished expression of TIMP-3 that was similarly observed. MMP-2, -3, and -9 as well as TIMP-1 and -2 were also analyzed and found to be differentially regulated by the cytokine. The TNF--induced breakdown of the blood-CSF barrier could partially be blocked by the MMP inhibitor GM-6001. Our results show a contribution of MMPs to the inflammatory breakdown of the blood-CSF barrier in vitro. Thus TNF- may mediate the binding of leukocytes to cellular adhesion molecules and the transmigration across the blood-CSF barrier. choroid plexus; matrix metalloproteases; tight junction; transepithelial electrical resistance; porcine choroid plexus epithelial cells; tumor necrosis factor-     

益生菌对胆汁淤积性黄疸大鼠小肠上皮细胞紧密连接蛋白的影响

目的探讨双歧三联活菌(培菲康)对胆汁淤积性大鼠小肠上皮细胞紧密连接蛋白ZO-1(zonula oc-cludens-1)和Occludin表达的调控机制。方法雄性3周龄SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和培菲康组,模型组和培菲康组均给予α-异硫氰酸萘酯(ANIT)50 mg/kg一次性灌胃,建立急性肝内胆汁淤积动物模型,培菲康组于造模前4 d开始给予培菲康4.2×107个活菌数/(kg.d)灌胃大鼠。分别于造模后24、48和72 h三个时间点处死大鼠,取末端回肠黏膜组织,采用免疫组化和Western blots免疫印迹法检测紧密连接蛋白ZO-1、闭锁蛋白(Occludin)的分布和表达,并利用图像分析系统对Western blots图像结果进行定量分析。结果ZO-1和Occludin蛋白主要沿大鼠小肠黏膜上皮细胞膜的顶端呈线状分布,模型组大鼠24 h时ZO-1和Occludin的阳性染色较对照组减少,48 h减少最为明显,72 h阳性染色有所恢复,而培菲康组大鼠各时间点ZO-1和Occludin的阳性染色和模型组相比均明显增多。Western blots结果与免疫组织化学结果相一致,模型组24 h已经开始下降(ZO-1 0.1294±0.0481)、(Oc-cludin 0.1950±0.0441),48 h达到最低(ZO-1 0.0395±0.0095)、(Occludin 0.0137±0.0092),72 h开始恢复(ZO-10.2024±0.0498)、(Occludin 0.1494±0.0355),各时间点与对照组(ZO-1 0.2887±0.0237)、(Occludin 0.4266±0.0670)相比差异有统计学意义(P0.01);而培菲康组各时间点蛋白表达分别为24 h(ZO-1 0.2110±0.0367)、(Occludin 0.3056±0.0572),48 h(ZO-1 0.1173±0.0423)、(Occludin 0.0521±0.0123),72 h(ZO-1 0.2601±0.0191)、(Occludin 0.2050±0.0721),与模型组相应时间点数据相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论双歧三联活菌能够影响胆汁淤积性大鼠小肠黏膜上皮紧密连接蛋白的分布和表达,可以恢复肠黏膜上皮屏障的完整性。     

Knockdown of aquaporin 3 is involved in intestinal barrier integrity impairment

AQP3 is a water/glycerol transporter expressed at the basolateral membrane of colonic epithelial cells. Although AQPs are expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, their effect on intestinal barrier has not been clear. Here, we showed that knockdown of AQP3 caused a dramatic, dose-dependent increase in E. coli C25 translocation, with the reduction of TEER and increasing LY permeability. Western blots revealed that expression of Claudin-1 and Occludin were significantly decreased in the AQP3 knockdown group, demonstrating that this treatment enhances paracellular permeability via an opening of the tight junction complex. These data not only describe the correlation between transcellular and paracellular pathways in human intestines, but also show that targeted knockdown of AQP3 might impair the intestinal barrier integrity.     

Connexin 26 expression prevents down-regulation of barrier and fence functions of tight junctions by Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor ouabain in human airway epithelial cell line Calu-3

Gap junctions are considered to play a crucial role in differentiation of epithelial cells and to be associated with tight junction proteins. In this study, to investigate the role of gap junctions in regulation of the barrier function and fence function on the tight junctions, we introduced the Cx26 gene into human airway epithelial cell line Clau-3 and used a disruption model of tight junctions employing the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibitor ouabain. In parental Calu-3 cells, gap junction proteins Cx32 and Cx43, but not Cx26, and tight junction proteins occludin, JAM-1, ZO-1, claudin-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, and -14 were detected by RT-PCR. The barrier function and fence function of tight junctions were well maintained, whereas the GJIC was low level. Treatment with ouabain caused disruption of the barrier function and fence function of tight junctions together with down-regulation of occludin, JAM-1, claudin-2, and -4 and up-regulation of ZO-1 and claudin-14. In Cx26 transfectants, Cx26 protein was detected by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry, and many gap junction plaques were observed with well-developed tight junction strands. Expression of claudin-14 was significantly increased in Cx26 transfectants compared to parental cells, and in some cells, Cx26 was co-localized with claudin-14. Interestingly, transfection with Cx26 prevented disruption of both functions of tight junctions by treatment with ouabain without changes in the tight junction proteins. Pretreatment with the GJIC blockers 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid and oleamide did not affect the changes induced by Cx26 transfection. These results suggest that Cx26 expression, but not the mediated intercellular communication, may regulate tight junction barrier and fence functions in human airway epithelial cell line Calu-3.     

Lipopolysaccharide disrupts tight junctions in cholangiocyte monolayers by a c-Src-, TLR4-, and LBP-dependent mechanism

Bile duct epithelium forms a barrier to the backflow of bile into the liver parenchyma. However, the structure and regulation of the tight junctions in bile duct epithelium is not well understood. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of lipopolysaccharide on tight junction integrity and barrier function in normal rat cholangiocyte monolayers. Lipopolysaccharide disrupts barrier function and increases paracellular permeability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Lipopolysaccharide induced a redistribution of tight junction proteins, occludin, claudin-1, claudin-4, and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 from the intercellular junctions and reduced the level of ZO-1. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and PP2) prevented lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in permeability and subcellular redistribution of ZO-1. Reduced expression of c-Src, TLR4, or LBP by specific small interfering RNA attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced permeability and redistribution of ZO-1. ML-7, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, attenuated LPS-induced permeability. Lipopolysaccharide treatment rapidly increased the phosphorylation of occludin and ZO-1 on tyrosine residues, which was prevented by genistein and PP2. Occludin and ZO-1 were found to be highly phosphorylated on threonine residues in intact cell monolayers. Threonine-phosphorylation of occludin was rapidly reduced by lipopolysaccharide administration. Lipopolysaccharide-induced dephosphorylation of occludin on Thr residues was prevented by genistein and PP2. In conclusion, lipopolysaccharide disrupts the tight junction of a bile duct epithelial monolayer by a c-Src-, TLR4-, LBP-, and myosin light chain kinase-dependent mechanism.     

Interleukin-2 receptor beta subunit-dependent and -independent regulation of intestinal epithelial tight junctions

Interleukin (IL)-15 is able to regulate tight junction formation in intestinal epithelial cells. However, the mechanisms that regulate the intestinal barrier function in response to IL-15 and the involved subunits of the IL-15 ligand-receptor system are unknown. We determined the IL-2Rbeta subunit and IL-15-dependent regulation of tight junction-associated proteins in the human intestinal epithelial cell line T-84. The IL-2Rbeta subunit was expressed and induced signal transduction in caveolin enriched rafts in intestinal epithelial cells. IL-15-mediated tightening of intestinal epithelial monolayers correlated with the enhanced recruitment of tight junction proteins into Triton X-100-insoluble protein fractions. IL-15-mediated up-regulation of ZO-1 and ZO-2 expression was independent of the IL-2Rbeta subunit, whereas the phosphorylation of occludin and enhanced membrane association of claudin-1 and claudin-2 by IL-15 required the presence of the IL-2Rbeta subunit. Recruitment of claudins and hyperphosphorylated occludin into tight junctions resulted in a more marked induction of tight junction formation in intestinal epithelial cells than the up-regulation of ZO-1 and ZO-2 by itself. The regulation of the intestinal epithelial barrier function by IL-15 involves IL-2Rbeta-dependent and -independent signaling pathways leading to the recruitment of claudins, hyperphosphorylated occludin, ZO-1, and ZO-2 into the tight junctional protein complex.     

Phosphodiesterase inhibition attenuates alterations to the tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1 in immunostimulated Caco-2 intestinal monolayers

AimsUnder normal conditions, the intestinal mucosa acts as a local barrier to prevent the influx of luminal contents. The intestinal epithelial tight junction is comprised of several membrane associated proteins, including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Disruption of this barrier can lead to the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and ultimately multiple organ failure. We have previously shown that Pentoxifylline (PTX) decreases histologic gut injury and pro-inflammatory mediator synthesis. We hypothesize that PTX prevents the breakdown of ZO-1 and occludin in an in vitro model of immunostimulated intestinal cell monolayers.Main methodsCaco-2 human enterocytes were grown as confluent monolayers and incubated under control conditions, or with PTX (2 mM), Cytomix (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1), or Cytomix + PTX for 24 h. Occludin and ZO-1 protein levels were analyzed by Western blot. Confocal microscopy was used to assess the cytoplasmic localization of ZO-1 and occludin.Key findingsCytomix stimulation of Caco-2 cells resulted in a 50% decrease in both occludin and ZO-1 protein. Treatment with Cytomix + PTX restored both occludin and ZO-1 protein to control levels. Confocal microscopy images show that Cytomix caused an irregular, undulating appearance of ZO-1 and occludin at the cell junctions. Treatment with PTX prevented the Cytomix-induced changes in ZO-1 and occludin localization.SignificanceTreatment with PTX decreases the pro-inflammatory cytokine induced changes in the intestinal tight junction proteins occludin and ZO-1. Pentoxifylline may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of sepsis and shock by attenuating intestinal barrier breakdown.     

A Synthetic Peptide Corresponding to the Extracellular Domain of Occludin Perturbs the Tight Junction Permeability Barrier

Occludin, the putative tight junction integral membrane protein, is an attractive candidate for a protein that forms the actual sealing element of the tight junction. To study the role of occludin in the formation of the tight junction seal, synthetic peptides (OCC1 and OCC2) corresponding to the two putative extracellular domains of occludin were assayed for their ability to alter tight junctions in Xenopus kidney epithelial cell line A6. Transepithelial electrical resistance and paracellular tracer flux measurements indicated that the second extracellular domain peptide (OCC2) reversibly disrupted the transepithelial permeability barrier at concentrations of < 5 μM. Despite the increased paracellular permeability, there were no changes in gross epithelial cell morphology as determined by scanning EM. The OCC2 peptide decreased the amount of occludin present at the tight junction, as assessed by indirect immunofluorescence, as well as decreased total cellular content of occludin, as assessed by Western blot analysis. Pulse-labeling and metabolic chase analysis suggested that this decrease in occludin level could be attributed to an increase in turnover of cellular occludin rather than a decrease in occludin synthesis. The effect on occludin was specific because other tight junction components, ZO-1, ZO-2, cingulin, and the adherens junction protein E-cadherin, were unaltered by OCC2 treatment. Therefore, the peptide corresponding to the second extracellular domain of occludin perturbs the tight junction permeability barrier in a very specific manner. The correlation between a decrease in occludin levels and the perturbation of the tight junction permeability barrier provides evidence for a role of occludin in the formation of the tight junction seal.     

Complexity and developmental changes in the expression pattern of claudins at the blood–CSF barrier

The choroid plexus epithelium controls the movement of solutes between the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid. It has been considered as a functionally more immature interface during brain development than in adult. The anatomical basis of this barrier is the interepithelial choroidal junction whose tightness has been attributed to the presence of claudins. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry to identify different claudins in the choroid plexuses of developing and adult rats. Claudin-1, -2, and -3 were highly and selectively expressed in the choroid plexus as compared to brain or parenchyma microvessels and were localized at epithelial junctions. Claudin-6, -9, -19, and -22 also displayed a previously undescribed choroidal selectivity, while claudin-4, -5, and -16 were enriched in the cerebral microvessels. The choroidal pattern of tight junction protein expression in prenatal brains was already complex and included occludin and zonula occludens proteins. It differed from the adult pattern in that the pore-forming claudin-2, claudin-9, and claudin-22 increased during development, while claudin-3 and claudin-6 decreased. Claudin-2 and claudin-11 presented a mirror image of abundance between lateral ventricle and fourth ventricle choroid plexuses. Imunohistochemical analysis of human fetal and postnatal brains for claudin-1, -2, and -3 demonstrated their early presence and localization at the apico-lateral border of the choroid plexus epithelial cells. Overall, choroidal epithelial tight junctions are already complex in developing brain. The observed differences in claudin expression between developing and adult choroid plexuses may indicate developmental differences in selective blood–cerebrospinal fluid transport functions.     

Tight junctions in the rat parotid gland

The aim of this study was to elucidate the distribution and morphological changes of tight junctions during secretion in parotid gland acinar cells. Localization of tight junction-associated polypeptide ZO-1, and of tight junction transmembrane protein Occludin, was examined in rat parotid gland by immunofluorescence and immunogold labelling of ultrathin sections. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with IPR and, after 10 and 30 minutes, parotid glands were extirpated. In control specimens, positive immunoreaction for ZO-1 and Occludin was observed on the adluminal side between adjacent cells in the form of narrow elongated profiles corresponding to intercellular canaliculi. After IPR injection, canaliculi became dilated and fluorescence was no longer seen as a continuous line but appeared as an aggregation of separate bright particles. ZO-1 was more widely distributed and was recognized in other areas of the cytoplasm as well. Concurrently, omega-shaped concavities, marked by actin fluorescence, appeared along the intercellular canaliculi. We concluded that, during exocytosis, the selective permeability barrier to the paracellular pathway, based on tight junctions, becomes more leaky, owing to segregation of Occludin caused by intracellular ZO-1 distributional changes associated with actin filaments.     

Afadin controls p120-catenin-ZO-1 interactions leading to endothelial barrier enhancement by oxidized phospholipids

Afadin is a novel regulator of epithelial cell junctions assembly. However, its role in the formation of endothelial cell junctions and the regulation of vascular permeability remains obscure. We previously described protective effects of oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (OxPAPC) in the in vitro and in vivo models of lung endothelial barrier dysfunction and acute lung injury, which were mediated by Rac GTPase. This study examined a role of afadin in the OxPAPC-induced enhancement of interactions between adherens junctions and tight junctions as a novel mechanism of endothelial cell (EC) barrier preservation. OxPAPC induced Rap1-dependent afadin accumulation at the cell periphery and Rap1-dependent afadin interaction with adherens junction and tight junction proteins p120-catenin and ZO-1, respectively. Afadin knockdown using siRNA or ectopic expression of afadin mutant lacking Rap1 GTPase binding domain suppressed OxPAPC-induced EC barrier enhancement and abolished barrier protective effects of OxPAPC against thrombin-induced EC permeability. Afadin knockdown also abolished protective effects of OxPAPC against ventilator-induced lung injury in vivo. These results demonstrate for the first time a critical role of afadin in the regulation of vascular barrier function in vitro and in vivo via coordination of adherens junction-tight junction interactions.     

Specific AHNAK expression in brain endothelial cells with barrier properties

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is essential for maintaining brain homeostasis and low permeability. Because disruption of the BBB may contribute to many brain disorders, they are of considerable interests in the identification of the molecular mechanisms of BBB development and integrity. We here report that the giant protein AHNAK is expressed at the plasma membrane of endothelial cells (ECs) forming specific blood-tissue barriers, but is absent from the endothelium of capillaries characterized by extensive molecular exchanges between blood and extracellular fluid. In the brain, AHNAK is widely distributed in ECs with BBB properties, where it co-localizes with the tight junction protein ZO-1. AHNAK is absent from the permeable brain ECs of the choroid plexus and is down-regulated in permeable angiogenic ECs of brain tumors. In the choroid plexus, AHNAK accumulates at the tight junctions of the choroid epithelial cells that form the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier. In EC cultures, the regulation of AHNAK expression and its localization corresponds to general criteria of a protein involved in barrier organization. AHNAK is up-regulated by angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), a morphogenic factor that regulates brain EC permeability. In bovine cerebral ECs co-cultured with glial cells, AHNAK relocates from the cytosol to the plasma membrane when endothelial cells acquire BBB properties. Our results identify AHNAK as a protein marker of endothelial cells with barrier properties.     

Occludin Localization at the Tight Junction Requires the Second Extracellular Loop

Occludin is a transmembrane protein of the tight junction with two extracellular loops. Our previous demonstration that the extracellular loops are adhesive suggested the possibility that they contribute to localizing occludin at the tight junction. To address this question, truncated forms of occludin were generated in which one or both of the extracellular loops were deleted. These constructs were expressed in both occludin-null Rat-1 fibroblasts and in MDCK epithelial cells. The patterns of sensitivity to proteinase K suggested all constructs were present on the plasma membrane and retained the normal topology. In fibroblasts, all truncated forms of occludin colocalized with ZO-1 at regions of cell-cell contact, demonstrating that even in the absence of tight junctions cytoplasmic interactions with ZOs is sufficient to cluster occludin. In MDCK cell monolayers, both full-length and occludin lacking the first extracellular loop colocalized with ZO-1 at the tight junction. In contrast, constructs lacking the second, or both, extracellular loops were absent from tight junctions and were found only on the basolateral cell surface. By freeze-fracture electron microscopic analysis, overexpression of full length occludin induced side-to-side aggregation of fibrils within the junction, while excess occludin on the lateral membrane did not form fibrils. These results suggest that the second extracellular domain is required for stable assembly of occludin in the tight junction and that occludin influences the structural organization of the paracellular barrier. Received: 26 June 2000/Revised: 25 September 2000