Zonulin介导的肠道微生物对肠上皮细胞屏障功能的调节

利用Caco-2肠上皮细胞单层屏障模型研究四种肠道微生物对肠道屏障的影响。实验设置空白对照组(control)、大肠埃希菌组(Eco)、肺炎克雷伯菌组(Kpn)、粪肠球菌组(Efa)、乳酸杆菌组(Lac)。加入各组细菌共培养,结果表明大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、粪肠球菌均引起单层细胞跨膜电阻值(transepithelial electrical resistance,TEER)明显下降(P0.001);Eco组、Kpn组作用后细胞释放zonulin蛋白增加(P0.01),Efa组作用于Caco-2细胞单层后,zonulin释放量较对照组升高,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05);Eco组、Kpn组三种紧密连接蛋白occludin、claudin-1、ZO-1表达明显减少,Efa组、Lac组occludin、claudin-1表达与空白对照组相比无明显变化,胞浆蛋白ZO-1表达降低;细菌与细胞共培养6 h后免疫荧光观察紧密连接蛋白分布情况,Eco组、Kpn组可见荧光强度减弱,荧光不连续,甚至有缺口及裂隙,Efa组、Lac组荧光强度稍减弱,但仍沿胞膜分布,条带较清晰,与空白对照组差异不明显。肠道四种微生物中大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌可能通过zonulin途径降低紧密连接蛋白表达、改变蛋白分布,最终导致肠道屏障功能受损,益生菌对肠道屏障无损伤作用。     

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。     

蒙脱石对大肠杆菌K88感染Caco-2细胞的屏障功能和紧密连接蛋白表达的影响

采用Caco-2细胞培养模型,分析大肠杆菌K88感染Caco-2后的单层细胞跨膜电阻值(TEER)、甘露醇透过率、紧密连接蛋白occludin分布的变化,并在培养液中加入蒙脱石,探讨蒙脱石对大肠杆菌K88感染Caco-2后的屏障功能和紧密连接蛋白表达的影响.结果表明:大肠杆菌K88感染Caco-12细胞后,细胞单层TEER值随时间的延长而降低,感染3 h后TEER值显著低于正常组(P<0.05),而添加蒙脱石组TEER值与正常组无显著差异(P>0.05).蒙脱石剂量在0～1 g/L的范围内,感染Caco-2细胞单层TEER值随着蒙脱石剂量的增加而急剧增加;蒙脱石剂量在1～1.67 g/L的范围内,TEER值变化趋平.感染Caco-2细胞的3H甘露醇表观渗透系数随着时间的延长而增加,各个时间点均显著高于正常组(P<0.05),而蒙脱石组各时间点3H甘露醇表观渗透系数均显著低于大肠杆菌K88感染组(P<0.05).大肠杆菌K88感染后,相邻Caco-2细胞间紧密连接结构遭到破坏,occludin的表达减少,而蒙脱石处理后可使大肠杆菌K88引起的紧密连接结构受损减轻、occludin表达增多.结果提示蒙脱石可有效抑制大肠杆菌K88黏附Caco-2细胞引起的通透性增加、屏障功能损坏,改善紧密连接的结构和OCtludin的表达分布.     

二氮嗪对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后ZO-1和Claudin-5蛋白表达的影响

目的观察二氮嗪对大鼠脑缺血再灌注后紧密连接相关蛋白ZO-1和Claudin-5蛋白表达的影响,研究其对血脑屏障紧密连接是否具有保护作用。方法将30只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为3组:假手术组、缺血再灌注组及二氮嗪预处理组,采用线栓法建立大鼠大脑中动脉缺血再灌注模型,分别应用免疫组化染色和Western blot检测各组大鼠ZO-1和Claudin-5蛋白的表达水平。结果 1.假手术组ZO-1、Claudin-5在血管上的染色连续、丰富,缺血再灌注组ZO-1、Claudin-5的染色稀少、断续,二氮嗪预处理组染色较缺血再灌注组有所改善;2.Western blot定量测定与假手术组相比,缺血再灌注组大鼠脑组织中ZO-1和Claudin-5蛋白表达均明显下降(P0.01),与缺血再灌注组相比,二氮嗪预处理组ZO-1和Claudin-5的蛋白表达明显增多(P0.05)。结论二氮嗪对血脑屏障紧密连接具有保护作用,其机制可能与增加紧密连接相关蛋白ZO-1和Claudin-5的表达有关。     

哺乳期接触双酚A对子代雄鼠睾丸结构及雌激素受体β表达的影响

目的研究哺乳期接触双酚A(BPA)对雄性小鼠睾丸结构及雌激素受体β(ERβ)表达的影响。方法 20只妊娠母鼠,待分娩后随机分为高、中、低剂量组,BPA染毒剂量为100、50、5 mg/(kg.d)和对照组,母鼠分娩后第2天开始每天灌服BPA,仔鼠通过乳汁暴露于BPA,一直持续到第22天断奶,研究其成年后睾丸组织形态学改变,并用免疫组织化学、RT-PCR和Western blot方法研究BPA对其成年后睾丸内ERβ表达的影响。结果睾丸形态学分析表明BPA处理组睾丸发育受到严重影响,生精细胞排列紊乱,支持细胞和各级生精细胞生长受到不同程度的抑制;免疫组化、RT-PCR及Western blot均显示,高、中、低剂量组雄鼠成年后睾丸组织中ERβ的表达均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论哺乳期接触BPA影响雄鼠睾丸发育,改变其成年后睾丸形态,提高睾丸组织内ERβ表达,提示BPA可能通过改变雌激素受体表达从而影响睾丸发育。     

池塘养殖条件下草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idelluspond)肠道黏膜细胞紧密连接蛋白基因表达水平的研究

为了研究肠道损伤与肠道黏膜细胞TJ结构的关系,以池塘养殖条件下的草鱼为研究对象,在对肠道损伤进行外观形态、组织切片和血清指标评估的基础上,分别选取肠道健康和肠道损伤的草鱼,采用荧光定量PCR(RT-QPCR)方法,定量检测了构成肠道黏膜细胞紧密连接结构的9个蛋白基因的表达水平。结果显示:与肠道健康草鱼相比,养殖草鱼肠道损伤后,血清二胺氧化酶(DAO)活性显著增加,同时,肠道黏膜细胞中的跨膜蛋白基因Claudin-3、Claudin-12、Claudinb、Claudinc、Claudin-15a,外周膜蛋白基因ZO-3和闭锁蛋白基因Occludin的表达水平显著下调(p0.05)。结果表明,草鱼肠道损伤会导致肠道黏膜细胞间TJ结构的损伤,从而导致肠道屏障通透性的显著增加。     

实验性肝硬化大鼠肠上皮细胞间紧密连接蛋白occludin表达下降

目的研究实验性肝硬化大鼠大肠上皮细胞间紧密连接蛋白occludin表达的变化。方法参照文献1,给大鼠反复腹腔注射CCl4制备化学性肝硬化大鼠动物模型。实验4周、8周分批处死动物,应用免疫组织化学及Western blot检测肝硬化进程中,大鼠大肠上皮细胞间紧密连接蛋白occludin的定位及表达的变化。结果occludin蛋白主要沿大鼠大肠粘膜上皮细胞膜的顶端呈线状分布,在肝硬化组大鼠,4周时occludin的阳性染色开始减少,8周时更为明显。Western blot结果与免疫组织化学结果相一致,4周时开始下降(0.51±0.07),8周时达到最低值(0.32±0.05),与对照组(0.83±0.09)相比差异显著(P<0.05)。结论在肝硬化进程中,大肠上皮细胞间紧密连接蛋白occludin表达下降。     

ERK-VEG FMMP-9信号通路与直肠癌细胞增殖和血管新生的关联

为了探讨ERK-VEGFMMP-9信号通路与直肠癌细胞增殖和血管新生的关联,本研究以不同浓度(10～100μmol/L)的丙泊酚处理HT-29细胞0、48 h、72 h,研究丙泊酚对HT-29细胞中ERK、MMP-9和VEGF的影响,并利用Western blotting法观察HT-29细胞中ERK1/2、MMP-9和VEGF的表达量与信号通路之间的关系。观察丙泊酚处理后对HT-29细胞增殖能力、血管生成能力、细胞侵袭能力的影响。研究结果表明,在细胞中,VEGF与MMP-9蛋白的表达,均随着丙泊酌剂量的增加而呈现逐渐减少的趋势。与对照组相比,50μmol/L组与100μmol/L组降低(p0.05);细胞内VEGF和MMP-9蛋白的表达量随药物处理时间的增加而逐渐降低,与0 h相比,48 h组和72h组降低(p0.05)。细胞中pERK与ERK的比率随着丙泊酌剂量的增加而逐渐降低。与对照组相比,50μmol/L组与100μmol/L组降低(p0.05),pERK与ERK的比率随着用药时间的增加而逐渐降低。与0相比,48 h组与72 h组降低(p0.05)。与0剂量相比,丙泊酚加PMA组MMP-9蛋白的表达量显著升高,50μmol/L组和100μmol/L组增加(p0.05),丙泊酚加PMA组MMP-9蛋白的表达量随着时间的增加而明显的增加,与0h相比,48 h和72 h增加(p0.05)。与0组相比,丙泊酚加PMA组VEGP的表达量明显增加,50μmol/L组和100μmol/L组增加(p0.05),丙泊酚加PMA组VEGP的表达量随时间增加而增加,与Oh相比,48h和72h显著增加(p0.05)。25μmol/L组、50μmol/L组、100μmol/L组Eca109细胞的增殖力、细胞中CAM的新生血管的生成、细胞的侵袭力与对照组相比均显著增加(p0.05),48 h组、72 h组Eca109细胞的增殖力、细胞中CAM的新生血管的生成、细胞的侵袭力与对照组相比均显著增加(p0.05)。丙泊酚通过ERK-VEGF/MMP-9的信号的调制,从而抑制人类的HT-29细胞的增殖、侵袭的体外和血管的生成。     

槲皮苷减轻TNF-α诱导的肠上皮屏障功能障碍

目的探究槲皮苷对TNF-α诱导的结肠腺癌细胞(colorectal adenocarcinoma cell, Caco-2)单层膜肠上皮屏障功能损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法 Caco-2细胞接种于镶嵌0.4μm孔径Transwell小室聚碳酸酯膜上,并培养21d以获得Caco-2细胞单层膜。接着,将Caco-2细胞单层膜随机分空白对照组(未用任何药物处理)、单纯TNF-α组(仅用100ng/mL TNF-α处理72h)、TNF-α+槲皮苷低、中、高剂量组(分别用25、50和100μmol/L槲皮苷预处理30min后,再用100ng/mL TNF-α处理72h)。采用MTT法检测细胞活力,采用ELISA和RT-qPCR分别检测各组中白介素1β(interleukin 1β,IL-1β)、白介素6(interleukin 6,IL-6)和环氧化酶2(cyclooxygenase 2,COX-2)分泌水平和mRNA表达水平,采用跨上皮电阻(transepithelial electrical resistance,TEER)和FITC标记葡聚糖40 kD(FITC-dextran 40kD,FD-40)通量评估各组Caco-2细胞单层膜的渗透性,采用免疫荧光检测各组中闭合蛋白(occludin)和闭锁小带蛋白1(zonula occludens protein1,ZO-1)的分布,采用Western blot分析各组中occludin、 ZO-1、肌球蛋白轻链激酶(myosin light-chain kinase,MLCK)和磷酸化的肌球蛋白轻链(phosphorylated myoglobin light chain,p-MLC)水平。结果槲皮苷抑制Caco-2细胞单层膜中TNF-α诱导的促炎因子IL-1β、IL-6和COX2分泌水平和mRNA表达水平,减弱TNF-α诱导的TEER下降和FD-40通量增加,改善TNF-α诱导的occludin和ZO-1的分布和水平。此外,槲皮苷显著抑制TNF-α诱导的MLCK和p-MLC表达增加。结论槲皮苷可减轻TNF-α诱导的Caco-2细胞单层膜肠上皮屏障损伤,MLCK/p-MLC信号抑制可能是其保护作用的机制之一。     

缝隙连接在同型半胱氨酸介导的自发性高血压大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

目的:探讨缝隙连接(GJ)是否参与同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)介导的自发性高血压(SHR)大鼠血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)增殖及可能的分子机制。方法:原代培养SHR VSMCs,细胞分四组:①对照组,②Hcy组,③缝隙连接阻断剂(18α-GA)组和④Hcy+18α-GA组。MTT法及流式细胞仪检测细胞的增殖活性,免疫荧光技术观察细胞中Cx43、Cx40蛋白表达及定位,Western blot法检测细胞中Cx43、Cx40蛋白表达,染料示踪分子传递法(划痕标记染料传输法)检测细胞的缝隙连接功能。结果:①与对照组相比,Hcy组MTT法测得A值及细胞周期测得S值增高(P0.05),18α-GA组降低(P0.05);与Hcy组比,TGFβ-1+18α-GA组A值及S值均降低(P0.05)。②免疫荧光技术检测细胞中Cx43、Cx40蛋白表达呈阳性,两者共定位于胞浆。③与对照组相比,Hcy组Cx43、Cx40蛋白表达增强(P0.05),18α-GA组Cx43、Cx40表达均减弱(P0.05);与Hcy组比,Hcy+18α-GA组Cx43、Cx40表达均减弱(P0.05)。④与对照组相比,Hcy组缝隙连接功能明显增强(P0.05),18α-GA组缝隙连接功能明显减弱(P0.05),与Hcy组比,Hcy+18α-GA组缝隙连接功能显著降低(P0.05)。结论:Hcy通过上调SHR VSMCs Cx43和Cx40的蛋白表达,引起缝隙连接通讯功能的增强,促进了SHR VSMCs增殖。     

Major involvement of connexin 43 in seminiferous epithelial junction dynamics and male fertility

In different epithelia, cell membranes contacting one another form intercellular junctional complexes including tight, adherens and gap junctions, which could mutually influence the expression of each other. We have here investigated the role of Cx43 in the control of adherens and tight junction proteins (N-cadherin, β-catenin, occludin and ZO-1) by using conditional Sertoli cell knockout Cx43 (SCCx43KO^−/−) transgenic mice and specific anti-Cx43 siRNA. Gap junction coupling and Cx43 levels were reduced in SCCx43KO^−/− as compared to Wild-type testes. Ultrastructural analysis revealed disappearance of gap junctions, the presence of tight and adherens junctions and persistent integrity of the blood-testis barrier in SCCx43KO^−/− testis. Occludin, N-cadherin and β-catenin levels were enhanced in SCCx43KO^−/− mice as compared to Wild-type animals whereas ZO-1 levels were reduced. Cx43 siRNA blocked gap junction functionality in Sertoli cells and altered tight and adherens protein levels. The Cx43 control of tight and adherens junctions appeared channel-dependent since gap junction blockers (glycyrrhetinic acid and oleamide) led to similar results. These data suggest that the control of spermatogenesis by Cx43 may be mediated through Sertoli cell Cx43 channels, which are required, not only in cell/cell communication between Sertoli and germ cells, but also in the regulation of other junctional proteins essential for the blood-testis barrier.     

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.     

Suppression of the transformed phenotype of breast cancer by tropomyosin-1

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) is thought to play a crucial role in cell differentiation. Small gap junction plaques are frequently associated with tight junction strands in hepatocytes, suggesting that gap junctions may be closely related to the role of tight junctions in the establishment of cell polarity. To examine the exact role of gap junctions in regulating tight junctions, we transfected connexin 32 (Cx32), Cx26, or Cx43 cDNAs into immortalized mouse hepatocytes derived from Cx32-deficient mice and examined the expression and function of the endogenous tight junction molecules. In transient wild-type Cx32 transfectants, immunocytochemistry revealed that endogenous occludin was in part localized at cell borders, where it was colocalized with Cx32, whereas neither was detected in parental cells. In Cx32 null hepatocytes transfected with Cx32 truncated at position 220 (R220stop), wild-type Cx26, or wild-type Cx43 cDNAs, occludin was not detected at cell borders. In stable wild-type Cx32 transfectants, occludin, claudin-1, and ZO-1 mRNAs and proteins were significantly increased compared to parental cells and all of the proteins were colocalized with Cx32 at cell borders. Treatment with a GJIC blocker, 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, resulted in decreases of occludin and claudin-1 at cell borders in the stable transfectants. The induction of tight junction proteins in the stable transfectants was accompanied by an increase in both fence and barrier functions of tight junctions. Furthermore, in the stable transfectants, circumferencial actin filaments were also increased without a change of actin protein. These results indicate that Cx32 formation and/or Cx32-mediated intercellular communication may participate in the formation of functional tight junctions and actin organization.     

Possible involvement of gap junctions in the barrier function of tight junctions of brain and lung endothelial cells

Gap-junction plaques are often observed with tight-junction strands of vascular endothelial cells but the molecular interaction and functional relationships between these two junctions remain obscure. We herein show that gap-junction proteins connexin40 (Cx40) and Cx43 are colocalized and coprecipitated with tight-junction molecules occludin, claudin-5, and ZO-1 in porcine blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells. Gap junction blockers 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (18beta-GA) and oleamide (OA) did not influence expression of Cx40, Cx43, occludin, claudin-5, junctional adhesion molecule (JAM)-A, JAM-B, JAM-C, or ZO-1, or their subcellular localization in the porcine BBB endothelial cells. In contrast, these gap-junction blocking agents inhibited the barrier function of tight junctions in cells, determined by measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of mannitol and inulin. 18beta-GA also significantly reduced the barrier property in rat lung endothelial (RLE) cells expressing doxycycline-induced claudin-1, but did not change the interaction between Cx43 and either claudin-1 or ZO-1, nor their expression levels or subcellular distribution. These findings suggest that Cx40- and/or Cx43-based gap junctions might be required to maintain the endothelial barrier function without altering the expression and localization of the tight-junction components analyzed.     

Testin regulates the blood-testis barrier via disturbing occludin/ZO-1 association and actin organization

The blood-testis barrier (BTB) separates the seminiferous epithelium into the apical and basal compartments. The BTB has to operate timely and accurately to ensure the correct migration of germ cells, meanwhile maintaining the immunological barrier. Testin was first characterized from primary Sertoli cells, it is a secretory protein and a sensitive biomarker to monitor junctions between Sertoli and germ cells. Till now, the functions of testin on BTB dynamics and the involving mechanisms are unknown. Herein, testin acts as a regulatory protein on BTB integrity. In vitro testin knockdown by RNAi caused significant damage to the Sertoli cell barrier with no apparent changes in the protein levels of several major tight junction (TJ), adhesion junction, and gap junction proteins. Also, testin RNAi caused the diffusion of two TJ structural proteins, occludin and ZO-1, diffusing away from the Sertoli cell surface into the cytoplasm. Association and colocalization between ZO-1 and occludin were decreased after testin RNAi, examined by Co-IP and coimmunofluorescent staining, respectively. Furthermore, testin RNAi induced a dramatic disruption on the arrangement of actin filament bundles and a reduced F-actin/G-actin ratio. The actin regulatory protein ARP3 appeared at the Sertoli cell interface after testin RNAi without its protein level change, whereas overexpressing testin in Sertoli cells showed no effect on TJ barrier integrity. The above findings suggest that besides as a monitor for Sertoli-germ cell junction integrity, testin is also an essential molecule to maintain Sertoli–Sertoli junctions.     

Occludin and claudin-1 concentrate in the midbody of immortalized mouse hepatocytes during cell division.

It has been believed that epithelial cells maintain tight junctions at all times, including during cell division, to provide a continuous epithelial seal. However, changes in localization of integral tight junction proteins during cell division have not been examined. In this study, using SV40-immortalized mouse hepatocytes transfected with human Cx32 cDNA, in which tight junction strands and the endogenous tight junction proteins occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1, and ZO-2 were induced, we examined changes in localization of the tight junction proteins at all stages of cell division. All tight junction proteins were present between mitotic cells and neighboring cells throughout cell division. In late telophase, the integral tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-1, but not the cytoplasmic proteins ZO-1 and ZO-2, were concentrated in the midbody between the daughter cells and were observed at cell borders between the daugher and neighboring cells. These results indicate that the integral tight junction proteins are regulated in a different manner from the cytoplasmic proteins ZO-1 and ZO-2 during cytokinesis.     

Induction of tight junctions in human connexin 32 (hCx32)-transfected mouse hepatocytes: connexin 32 interacts with occludin

Small gap junction plaques are associated with tight junction strands in some cell types including hepatocytes and it is thought that they may be closely related to tight junctions and the establishment of cell polarity. In order to examine roles of gap junctions in regulating expression and structure of tight junctions, we transfected human Cx32 cDNA into immortalized mouse hepatocytes (CHST8 cells) which lack endogenous Cx32 and Cx26. Immunocytochemistry revealed that endogenous integral tight junction protein occludin was strongly localized and was colocalized with Cx32 at cell borders in transfectants, whereas neither was detected in parental cells. In Northern blots, mRNAs encoding occludin and the other integral tight junction proteins, claudin-1 and -2, were induced in the transfectants compared to parental cells. In Western blots, occludin protein was increased in the transfectants compared to parental cells, and binding of occludin to Cx32 protein was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation. In freeze fracture of the transfectants, tight junction strands were more numerous and complex compared to parental cells, and small gap junction plaques appeared within induced tight junction strands. Nevertheless, no change in barrier function of tight junctions was observed. These results indicate that in hepatocytes, gap junction, and tight junction expression are closely coordinated, and that Cx32 may play a role in regulating occludin expression.     

Molecular basis of cryptorchidism-induced infertility

Artificial cryptorchidism or local testicular heat treatment can induce reversible oligospermia or azoospermia in monkeys and rats via germ cell apoptosis. Local warming of monkey testes in water at 43°C for 2 consecutive days (30 min per day) decreased the number of sperm in the semen by up to 80% on d 28, and the effect was completely reversed on d 144. Germ cells rely heavily on Sertoli cells for structural and nutritional support. Specialized junctions that play a pivotal role in spermatogenesis occur at sites of Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-germ cell contact in the seminiferous epithelium. We demonstrated that expression of tight junction (TJ)-associated molecules, such as occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), were greatly reduced 24–48 h after heat treatment, while the permeability of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) was simultaneously increased, but recovered 10 d later. These results indicate a reversible disruption of the BTB associated with transient inductions of transforming growth factor (TGF) β2 and β3 expression, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, and concomitant loss of occludin and ZO-1. This suggests that expression of TJ-associated molecules and the BTB was reversibly perturbed by mild testicular hyperthermia, and that the heat-induced induction of TGF-β might be involved in downregulating TJ-associated proteins, leading to cell junction reduction. This review discusses the changes in total gene expression patterns after experimental cryptorchidism in adult mouse testes, and the cloning of several novel, physiologically significant spermatogenesis-specific genes.     

A proposed role for ZO-1 in targeting connexin 43 gap junctions to the endocytic pathway

Gap junctions are intercellular channels organized in plaque that directly link adjacent cells. Connexins (Cx), the constitutive proteins of gap junctions are associated with several partner proteins (cytoskeletal, anchoring) which could participate in plaque formation and degradation. Coimmunoprecipitation and indirect immunofluorescence analyses showed that ZO-1, a tight junction-associated protein, was linked to Cx43 in the testis. By using gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), known to induce gap junction endocytosis, we demonstrated that endocytosis increased Cx43/ZO-1 association within the cytoplasm of treated Sertoli cells. In control cells, the two proteins were present, as expected, at the plasma membrane level, but poorly colocalized. The increased intracytoplasmic Cx43/ZO-1 complex was associated with a shift towards increased levels of Cx43 P1 and P2 isoforms. The HCH induced Cx43 hyperphosphorylation was abolished by the ERK inhibitor PD98059 suggesting that this effect could be mediated through activation of the ERK pathway. These data strongly support a novel role for ZO-1 in the turnover of Cx43 during gap junction plaque endocytosis.     

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.