Knockout mice reveal key roles for claudin-18 in alveolar fluid homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: Claudin proteins are major constituents of epithelial and endothelial tight junctions (TJ), where they serve as regulators of paracellular permeability to ions and solutes. Claudin-18, a member of the large claudin family, is highly expressed in lung epithelium. To elucidate the role of claudin-18 in alveolar epithelial barrier function and fluid homeostasis, we generated claudin-18 knockout (C18 KO) mice. Increased alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) observed in C18 KO mice may have accounted for absence of lung edema despite increased alveolar solute permeability compared to wild type (WT) controls. Higher AFC in C18 KO mice was associated with higher Na-K-ATPase activity and increased expression of the Na-K-ATPase β1 subunit compared to WT controls. Consistent with in vivo findings, alveolar

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: Crystal Marconett 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-48443 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress