Claudin expression in follicle-associated epithelium of rat Peyer's patches defines a major restriction of the paracellular pathway.
Acta Physiol (Oxf)
; 216(1): 112-9, 2016 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26228735
ABSTRACT
AIM:
Members of the tight junction protein family of claudins have been demonstrated to specifically determine paracellular permeability of the intestinal epithelium. In small intestinal mucosa, which is generally considered to be a leaky epithelium, Peyer's patches are a primary part of the immune system. The aim of this study was to analyse the tight junctional barrier of follicle-associated epithelium covering Peyer's patches (lymphoid follicles).METHODS:
Employing small intestinal tissue specimens of male Wistar rats, electrophysiological analyses including the Ussing chamber technique, marker flux measurements and one-path impedance spectroscopy were performed. Morphometry of HE-stained tissue sections was taken into account. Claudin expression and localization was analysed by immunoblotting and confocal laser scanning immunofluorescence microscopy.RESULTS:
Almost twofold higher parameters of epithelial and transepithelial tissue resistance and a markedly lower permeability for the paracellular permeability markers 4 and 20 kDa FITC-dextran were detected in follicle-associated epithelium compared to neighbouring villous epithelium. Analysis of claudin expression and localization revealed a stronger expression of major sealing proteins in follicle-associated epithelium, including claudin-1, claudin-4, claudin-5 and claudin-8. Therefore, the specific expression and localization of claudins is in accordance with barrier properties of follicle-associated epithelium vs. neighbouring villous epithelium.CONCLUSION:
We demonstrate that follicle-associated epithelium is specialized to ensure maximum restriction of the epithelial paracellular pathway in Peyer's patches by selective sealing of tight junctions. This results in an exclusive transcellular pathway of epithelial cells as the limiting and mandatory route for a controlled presentation of antigens to the underlying lymphocytes under physiological conditions.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Peyer's Patches
/
Tight Junctions
/
Epithelium
/
Claudins
/
Intestinal Mucosa
/
Intestine, Small
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Acta Physiol (Oxf)
Journal subject:
FISIOLOGIA
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
RUSSIA