Biophysical basis of tight junction barrier modulation by a pan-claudin-binding molecule.

ABSTRACT: Claudins are a 27-member family of membrane proteins that form and fortify specialized cell contacts in endothelium and epithelium called tight junctions. Tight junctions restrict paracellular transport through tissues by forming molecular barriers between cells. Claudin-binding molecules thus hold promise for modulating tight junction permeability to deliver drugs or as therapeutics to treat tight junction-linked disease. The development of claudin-binding molecules, however, is hindered by their physicochemical intractability and small targetable surfaces. Here, we determine that a synthetic antibody fragment (sFab) that we developed binds with nanomolar affinity directly to 10 claudin subtypes and other distantly related claudin family members but not to other tight junction-localized m

SUBMITTER: Ogbu CP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12198772 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature