NaCl flux between apical and basolateral side recruits claudin-1 to tight junction strands and regulates paracellular transport

In multicellular organisms, epithelia separate and divide the internal environment maintaining appropriate conditions in each compartment. To maintain homeostasis in these compartments, claudins, major cell adhesion molecules in tight junctions (TJs), regulate movements of several substances through the paracellular pathway (barrier function). In this study, we investigated effects of the flux of several substances between apical and basolateral side on paracellular transport and TJ protein localization. NaCl flux from apical to basolateral side increased paracellular conductance (Gp) and recruited claudin-1 from lateral cell membrane to the apical end with the colocalization with occludin, one of the TJ proteins concentrated at TJ strands. Oppositely-directed flux of sucrose against NaCl flux inhibited these reactions and same directional flux of sucrose with NaCl enhanced the increase of Gp, whereas 10-kDa dextran inhibited these reactions regardless of the side of administration. Our present findings indicated that TJ protein localization and barrier function are regulated depending on the environmental differences between apical and basolateral side.     

EpCAM contributes to formation of functional tight junction in the intestinal epithelium by recruiting claudin proteins

Tight junctions (TJs) connect epithelial cells and form a semipermeable barrier that only allows selective passage of ions and solutes across epithelia. Here we show that mice lacking EpCAM, a putative cell adhesion protein frequently overexpressed in human cancers, manifest intestinal barrier defects and die shortly after birth as a result of intestinal erosion. EpCAM was found to be highly expressed in the developing intestinal epithelium of wild-type mice and to localize to cell-cell junctions including TJs. Claudin-7 colocalized with EpCAM at cell-cell junctions, and the two proteins were found to associate with each other. Claudins 2, 3, 7, and 15 were down-regulated in the intestine of EpCAM mutant mice, with claudin-7 being reduced to undetectable levels. TJs in the mutant intestinal epithelium were morphologically abnormal with the network of TJ strands scattered and dispersed. Finally, the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium was impaired in the mutant animals. These results suggest that EpCAM contributes to formation of intestinal barrier by recruiting claudins to cell-cell junctions.     

TFF3-peptide increases transepithelial resistance in epithelial cells by modulating claudin-1 and -2 expression

TFF3 plays an important role in the protection and repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa. The molecular mechanisms of TFF function, however, are still largely unknown. Increasing evidence indicates that apart from stabilizing mucosal mucins TFF3 induces cellular signals that modulate cell–cell junctions of epithelia. In transfected HT29/B6 and MDCK cells stably expressing FLAG-tagged human TFF3 we have recently shown that TFF3 down-regulates E-cadherin, impairs the function of adherens junctions and thus facilitates cell migration in wounded epithelial cell layers. Here we investigate TFF3-induced effects on the composition and function of tight junctions in these cells. TFF3 increased the cellular level of tightening claudin-1 and decreased the amount of claudin-2 known to form cation-selective channels. Expression of ZO-1, ZO-2 and occludin was not altered. The change in claudin-1 and -2 expression in TFF3-expressing HT29/B6 cells was accompanied by an increase in the transepithelial resistance in confluent monolayers of these cells. These data suggest that TFF3 plays a role in the regulation of intestinal barrier function by altering the claudin composition within tight junctions thus decreasing paracellular permeability of the intestinal mucosa.     

Differential incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid into distinct cholesterol-rich membrane raft domains

We investigated the influence of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the fatty acid and protein compositions of two populations of membrane rafts present in Caco-2 cells. DHA (100 microM) had no significant influence on the fatty acid or protein compositions of tight junction-associated, Lubrol insoluble, membrane rafts. However, DHA did significantly alter the fatty acid and protein compositions of "archetypal" Triton X-100 insoluble membrane rafts. The DHA content of the raft lipids increased 25-fold and was accompanied by a redistribution of src and fyn out of the rafts. DHA also increased Caco-2 cell monolayer permeability producing a 95% drop in transepithelial electrical resistance and a 8.56-fold increase in the flux of dextran. In conclusion, the data demonstrate that DHA does not increase permeability through modifying the TJ-associated rafts. The data do, however, show that DHA is differentially incorporated into different classes of membrane rafts, which has significant implications to our understanding of how omega-3 PUFAs modulate plasma membrane organization and cell function.     

Thr203 of claudin-1, a putative phosphorylation site for MAP kinase, is required to promote the barrier function of tight junctions

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) modulates the barrier function of tight junctions. We identified a putative phosphorylation site for MAPK at around Thr203 (PKPTP) in claudin-1, and determined the biological significance of this site. To this end, using the rat lung endothelial cell line RLE, we generated cells expressing doxycycline (Dox)-inducible wild-type claudin-1 and its mutant with substitution of Thr203 to Ala, and named them RLE:rtTA:CL1 and RLE:rtTA:CL1T203A, respectively. We herein show, by measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of mannitol and inulin, that functional tight junctions were reconstituted in both cells by Dox-induced expression of claudin-1. Interestingly, the barrier functions of tight junctions were less developed in RLE:rtTA:CL1T203A cells compared with RLE:rtTA:CL1 cells. Consistently, levels of both detergent-insoluble claudin-1 protein and its threonine-phosphorylation after Dox treatment were low in RLE:rtTA:CL1T203A cells compared to RLE:rtTA:CL1 cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with the MAPK inhibitor PD98059 markedly suppressed the barrier function and amount of detergent-insoluble claudin-1 in Dox-exposed RLE:rtTA:CL1 cells, whereas it marginally influenced those in RLE:rtTA:CL1T203A cells. These findings indicate that Thr203 of claudin-1 is required to enhance the barrier function of claudin-1-based tight junctions, probably via its phosphorylation and subsequent integration into tight junctions.     

Enhancement of barrier function by overexpression of claudin-4 in tight junctions of submandibular gland cells

In salivary glands, primary saliva is produced by acini and is modified by the reabsorption and secretion of ions in the ducts. Thus, the permeability of intercellular junctions in the ducts is considered to be lower than in the acini. We have examined the relationship between the expressed claudin isotypes and the barrier functions of tight junctions in a submandibular gland epithelial cell line, SMIE. SMIE cells were originally derived from rat submandibular duct cells, but their barrier functions are not as efficient as those of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Large molecules, such as 70-kDa dextran, diffuse across the monolayers, although E-cadherin and occludin, adherens junction and tight junction proteins, respectively, are expressed in SMIE cells. Claudin-3 protein has also been detected, but the expression level of claudin-3 mRNA is much lower than in the original submandibular glands. Other claudins including claudin-4 (originally expressed in the duct cells) have not been detected. Because of the limited expression of claudins, SMIE cells are suitable for studying the role(s) of claudins. To examine the function of claudin-4 in submandibular glands, we have overexpressed green fluorescence protein (GFP)-fused claudin-4 in SMIE cells. Cells that express GFP-fused claudin-4 have a higher transepithelial electrical resistance and a lower permeability of 70-kDa dextran, although the expression levels of occludin and claudin-3 are hardly affected. Therefore, claudin-4 plays a role in the regulation of the barrier function of tight junctions in submandibular glands. This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for scientific research from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, Sports, and Technology of Japan (16591868), by a Nihon University Multidisciplinary Research Grant for 2006 and 2007, and by a Grant-in-Aid for a 2003 Multidisciplinary Research Project from MEXT.     

Cytokine regulation of tight junctions

Epithelial and endothelial tight junctions act as a rate-limiting barrier between an organism and its environment. Continuing studies have highlighted the regulation of the tight junction barrier by cytokines. Elucidation of this interplay is vital for both the understanding of physiological tight junction regulation and the etiology of pathological conditions. This review will focus on recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of tight junctions modulation by cytokines.     

Double gene deletion reveals lack of cooperation between claudin 11 and claudin 14 tight junction proteins

Members of the claudin family of proteins are the main components of tight junctions (TJs), the major selective barrier of the paracellular pathway between epithelial cells. The selectivity and specificity of TJ strands are determined by the type of claudins present. An understanding of the cooperation between different claudins in various tissues is thus important. To study the possible cooperation between claudin 11 and claudin 14, we have generated claudin 11/claudin 14 double-deficient mice, which exhibit a combination of the phenotypes found in each of the singly deficient mutants, including deafness, neurological deficits, and male sterility. These two claudins have distinct and partially overlapping expression patterns in the kidney. Claudin 11 is located in both the proximal and distal convoluted tubules, whereas claudin 14 occurs in both the thin descending and thick ascending limbs of the loop of Henle and in the proximal convoluted tubules. Although daily urinary excretion of Mg(++), and to a lesser extent of Ca(++), tends to be higher in claudin 11/claudin 14 double mutants, these changes do not reach statistical significance compared with wild-type animals. Thus, under normal conditions, co-deletion of claudin 11 and claudin 14 does not affect kidney function or ion balance. Our data demonstrate that, despite the importance of each of these claudins, there is probably no functional cooperation between them. Generation of additional mouse models in which different claudins are abolished should provide further insight into the complex interactions between claudin proteins in various physiological systems.     

Phosphorylation of claudin-4 by PKCepsilon regulates tight junction barrier function in ovarian cancer cells

Claudin proteins belong to a large family of transmembrane proteins essential to the formation and maintenance of tight junctions (TJs). In ovarian cancer, TJ protein claudin-4 is frequently overexpressed and may have roles in survival and invasion, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation are poorly understood. In this report, we show that claudin-4 can be phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) at Thr189 and Ser194 in ovarian cancer cells and overexpression of a claudin-4 mutant protein mimicking the phosphorylated state results in the disruption of the barrier function. Furthermore, upon phorbol ester-mediated PKC activation of OVCA433 cells, TJ strength is decreased and claudin-4 localization is altered. Analyses using PKC inhibitors and siRNA suggest that PKCepsilon, an isoform typically expressed in ovarian cancer cells, may be important in the TPA-mediated claudin-4 phosphorylation and weakening of the TJs. Furthermore, immunofluorescence studies showed that claudin-4 and PKCepsilon are co-localized at the TJs in these cells. The modulation of claudin-4 activity by PKCepsilon may not only provide a mechanism for disrupting TJ function in ovarian cancer, but may also be important in the regulation of TJ function in normal epithelial cells.     

Comparative characterization of mouse rectum CMT93-I and -II cells by expression of claudin isoforms and tight junction morphology and function

Recent studies suggest that the morphological and physiological properties of tight junctions (TJs) are determined by the combination and mixing ratios of claudin isoforms. In this study, we tried to characterize mouse cell lines by expression of claudin isoforms to use for studying epithelial TJs by overexpression or suppression of claudin(s) in the cells and found that claudin-2 was expressed in a few mouse rectum carcinoma cells, CMT93 cells. We have isolated CMT93-I and -II cells from CMT93 cells by immunohistochemical screening for the presence or absence of claudin-2 expression. Immunofluorescence and RT-PCR analyses showed that expression of claudin-4, -6, -7 and -12 was detected in both cell lines, but claudin-2 was only expressed in CMT93-II cells. There were no differences in paracellular permeability between CMT93-I and -II cells examined by 4 kDa FITC-dextran and fluorescein sodium, or in the number of TJ strands examined by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. However, the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of CMT93-I cells was approximately 6.5 times higher than that of CMT93-II cells, suggesting that expression of claudin-2 may be related to decreased TER. Comparative examinations of CMT93-I and -II cells provide a clue how the combination and mixing ratios of claudin isoforms regulate the paracellular permeability.     

Adherens and tight junctions: Structure, function and connections to the actin cytoskeleton

Adherens junctions and Tight junctions comprise two modes of cell-cell adhesion that provide different functions. Both junctional complexes are proposed to associate with the actin cytoskeleton, and formation and maturation of cell-cell contacts involves reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Adherens junctions initiate cell-cell contacts, and mediate the maturation and maintenance of the contact. Adherens junctions consist of the transmembrane protein E-cadherin, and intracellular components, p120-catenin, β-catenin and α-catenin. Tight junctions regulate the paracellular pathway for the movement of ions and solutes in-between cells. Tight junctions consist of the transmembrane proteins occludin and claudin, and the cytoplasmic scaffolding proteins ZO-1, -2, and -3. This review discusses the binding interactions of the most studied proteins that occur within each of these two junctional complexes and possible modes of regulation of these interactions, and the different mechanisms that connect and regulate interactions with the actin cytoskeleton.     

Diversity of tight junctions (TJs) between gastrointestinal epithelial cells and their function in maintaining the mucosal barrier

The gastrointestinal epithelium, which is covered by a single layer of epithelial cells, including enterocytes, intraepithelial lymphocytes, goblet cells, microfold cells, and dendritic cells, serves as a protective barrier separating luminal contents from the underlying tissue compartments. The epithelium plays an important role in the first line of host defense against a variety of pathogens, as well as maintaining the homeostasis in gastrointestinal tract. All these epithelial cells express junction complex proteins and form cell junctions such as adherens and TJs, although the TJs have small differences among different epithelial cells. The TJs, located most apically on the lateral membrane, are required for the proper formation of epithelial cell polarity as well as sustaining of the mucosal barrier. Furthermore, TJs are the key cell junctions modulating the paracellular pathway. Understanding the diversity of the TJs between intestinal epithelial cells and their different roles in defending pathogens' invasion and modifying the paracellular pathway are attractive to exploration.     

Tight junction claudins and the kidney in sickness and in health

The epithelial cell tight junction has several functions including the control of paracellular transport between epithelial cells. Renal paracellular transport has been long recognized to exhibit unique characteristics within different segments of the nephron, functions as an important component of normal renal physiology and has been speculated to contribute to renal related pathology if functioning abnormally. The discovery of a large family of tight junction associated 4-transmembrane spanning domain proteins named claudins has advanced our understanding on how the paracellular permeability properties of tight junctions are determined. In the kidney, claudins are expressed in a nephron-specific pattern and are major determinants of the paracellular permeability of tight junctions in different nephron segments. The combination of nephron segment claudin expression patterns, inherited renal diseases, and renal epithelial cell culture models is providing important clues about how tight junction claudin molecules function in different segments of the nephron under normal and pathological conditions. This review discusses early observations of renal tubule paracellular transport and more recent information on the discovery of the claudin family of tight junction associated membrane proteins and how they relate to normal renal function as well as diseases of the human kidney.     

Tight junctions and the modulation of barrier function in disease

Tight junctions create a paracellular barrier in epithelial and endothelial cells protecting them from the external environment. Two different classes of integral membrane proteins constitute the tight junction strands in epithelial cells and endothelial cells, occludin and members of the claudin protein family. In addition, cytoplasmic scaffolding molecules associated with these junctions regulate diverse physiological processes like proliferation, cell polarity and regulated diffusion. In many diseases, disruption of this regulated barrier occurs. This review will briefly describe the molecular composition of the tight junctions and then present evidence of the link between tight junction dysfunction and disease.     

Separation of induction and expression of tight junction formation mediated by proteinases

The formation of tight junctions can be induced in the human adenocarcinoma cell line HT 29 by treatment with trypsin at 37°C. In contrast, after treatment of the cells with trypsin at low temperature (3°C), no tight junctions were observed. However, abundant formation of tight junctions occurred when cells were treated with trypsin at 3°C, washed with soybean trypsin inhibitor, and subsequently incubated at 37°C. Thus, this protocoi allows for the first time the temporal separation of the induction and assembly of tight junctions.     

Adropin reduces paracellular permeability of rat brain endothelial cells exposed to ischemia-like conditions

Adropin is a peptide encoded by the energy homeostasis associated gene (Enho) and plays a critical role in the regulation of lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and endothelial function. Little is known of the effects of adropin in the brain and whether this peptide modulates ischemia-induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) injury. Here, we used an in vitro BBB model of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBE4) and hypothesized that adropin would reduce endothelial permeability during ischemic conditions. To mimic ischemic conditions in vitro, RBE4 cell monolayers were subjected to 16 h hypoxia/low glucose (HLG). This resulted in a significant increase in paracellular permeability to FITC-labeled dextran (40 kDa), a dramatic upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the loss of junction proteins occludin and VE-cadherin. Notably, HLG also significantly decreased Enho expression and adropin levels. Treatment of RBE4 cells with synthetic adropin (1, 10 and 100 ng/ml) concentration-dependently reduced endothelial permeability after HLG, but this was not mediated through protection to junction proteins or through reduced levels of VEGF. We found that HLG dramatically increased myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) phosphorylation in RBE4 cells, which was significantly reduced by adropin treatment. We also found that HLG significantly increased Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) activity, a critical upstream effector of MLC2 phosphorylation, and that adropin treatment attenuated that effect. These data indicate that treatment with adropin reduces endothelial cell permeability after HLG insult by inhibition of the ROCK-MLC2 signaling pathway. These promising findings suggest that adropin protects against endothelial barrier dysfunction during ischemic conditions.     

Mechanism of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin interaction with claudin-3/-4 protein suggests structural modifications of the toxin to target specific claudins

Claudins (Cld) are essential constituents of tight junctions. Domain I of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (cCPE) binds to the second extracellular loop (ECL2) of a subset of claudins, e.g. Cld3/4 and influences tight junction formation. We aimed to identify interacting interfaces and to alter claudin specificity of cCPE. Mutagenesis, binding assays, and molecular modeling were performed. Mutation-guided ECL2 docking of Cld3/4 onto the crystal structure of cCPE revealed a common orientation of the proposed ECL2 helix-turn-helix motif in the binding cavity of cCPE: residues Leu(150)/Leu(151) of Cld3/4 bind similarly to a hydrophobic pit formed by Tyr(306), Tyr(310), and Tyr(312) of cCPE, and Pro(152)/Ala(153) of Cld3/4 is proposed to bind to a second pit close to Leu(223), Leu(254), and Leu(315). However, sequence variation in ECL2 of these claudins is likely responsible for slightly different conformation in the turn region, which is in line with different cCPE interaction modes of Cld3 and Cld4. Substitutions of other so far not characterized cCPE residues lining the pocket revealed two spatially separated groups of residues (Leu(223), Asp(225), and Arg(227) and Leu(254), lle(258), and Asp(284)), which are involved in binding to Cld3 and Cld4, albeit differently. Involvement of Asn(148) of Cld3 in cCPE binding was confirmed, whereas no evidence for involvement of Lys(156) or Arg(157) was found. We show structure-based alteration of cCPE generating claudin binders, which interact subtype-specific preferentially either with Cld3 or with Cld4. The obtained mutants and mechanistic insights will advance the design of cCPE-based modulators to target specific claudin subtypes related either to paracellular barriers that impede drug delivery or to tumors.     

Ligation of CD24 expressed by oral epithelial cells induces kinase dependent decrease in paracellular permeability mediated by tight junction proteins

In previous studies we demonstrated uniform strong expression of CD24 in the epithelial attachment to the tooth and in the migrating epithelium of the periodontitis lesion. Titers of serum antibodies auto-reactive with CD24 peptide correlated with reduced severity of periodontal disease. In the present study an epithelial culture model with close correspondence for expression patterns for tight junction components in periodontal epithelia was used. Ligation of CD24 expressed by oral epithelial cells with an anti-CD24 antibody induced formation of tight junctions and live-cell imaging confirmed that paracellular diffusion of fluorochrome-labeled dextran was reduced. Expression of mRNA and protein for zona occludens-1, -2, junction adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A), occludin and claudins-1, -4, -8, -15, -18 was significantly increased following ligation of CD24 but only claudins-4 and -15, JAM-A, occludin and zona occludens-1 and -2 were increased at cell contacts. This change in expression patterns reflected that observed between the epithelium of the periodontal lesion and that of the healthy gingival attachment. In the model system, response profiles to kinase inhibitors indicated a key role of c-Src kinase activation in the development of diffusion-limiting tight junction complexes. Activation was confirmed by demonstrating concomitant phosphorylation of the kinase. Pre-incubation with antibodies against JAM-A and claudin-15 prevented barrier-enhancing effects of anti-CD24 antibodies while pre-incubation with antibody to claudin-4 was partially effective. It is concluded that antibodies to CD24 facilitate expression and location of JAM-A, claudins-4 and -15 that mediate enhanced epithelial barrier function in a protective response against bacterial products.     

Type XIII collagen: a novel cell adhesion component present in a range of cell–matrix adhesions and in the intercalated discs between cardiac muscle cells

Recent analysis of type XIII collagen surprisingly showed that it is anchored to the plasma membranes of cultured cells via a transmembrane segment near its amino terminus. Here we demonstrate that type XIII collagen is concentrated in cultured skin fibroblasts and several other human mesenchymal cell lines in the focal adhesions at the ends of actin stress fibers, co-localizing with the known focal adhesion components talin and vinculin. This co-occurrence was also observed in rapidly forming adhesive structures of spreading and moving fibroblasts and in disrupting focal adhesions following microinjection of the Rho-inhibitor C3 transferase into the cells, suggesting that type XIII collagen is an integral focal adhesion component. Moreover, it appears to have an adhesion-related function since cell-surface expression of type XIII collagen in cells with weak basic adhesiveness resulted in improved cell adhesion on selected culture substrata. In tissues type XIII collagen was found in a range of integrin-mediated adherens junctions including the myotendinous junctions and costameres of skeletal muscle as well as many cell–basement membrane interfaces. Some cell–cell adhesions were found to contain type XIII collagen, most notably the intercalated discs in the heart. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that type XIII collagen has a cell adhesion-associated function in a wide array of cell–matrix junctions.