The tight junction component protein, claudin-4, is expressed by enteric neurons in the rat distal colon |
| |
Authors: | Karaki Shin-ichiro Kaji Izumi Otomo Yasuko Tazoe Hideaki Kuwahara Atsukazu |
| |
Affiliation: | Laboratory of Physiology, Institute for Environmental Sciences, and Graduate School of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan. |
| |
Abstract: | The expression of a tight junction (TJ) component protein, claudin-4, in the enteric neurons was investigated in the rat distal colon by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Claudin-4 immunoreactivity was detected in almost all neurofilament-positive enteric neurons both of the submucosal and the myenteric plexuses, and both of the cell bodies and the neurofibers. The immunoreactivity of enteric neurons for claudin-4 was divided into two types: strongly and weakly positive neurons. Especially in the myenteric plexus, the stained neurons were classified by Dogiel's morphological classification of enteric neurons. The strongly stained claudin-4 positive neurons show Dogiel type II morphology, while the weakly stained claudin-4 positive neurons show Dogiel type I morphology. These immunohistochemical data were supported by mRNA expression in the muscle plus submucosa preparation containing the submucosal and myenteric plexuses, as well as mucosa preparation. The physiological function of claudin-4 expressed on enteric neurons is unclear up to now. It is however suggested that claudin-4 expressed on enteric neurons might play roles for the neural activity, for example as insulation between neurofibers. In conclusion, the present study clearly shows that claudin-4 is expressed by enteric neurons. This is the first evidence that the neuron itself expresses the TJ component protein, claudin-4, in the nervous system. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|