BACKGROUND: We have previously shown an increase in intestinal permeability and a corresponding decrease in the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in the in testines of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) has been implicated in the inflammatory process of CD and its suppression has therapeutic benefit. ZO-1, occludin, and the claudins are key proteins in the TJ. HYPOTHESIS: TNFalpha disrupts the TJ. METHODS: MDCK cells were incubated with TNFalpha (0-100 ng/ml) for 5 days. Qualitative evaluation of the TJ was done with monoclonal antibody to ZO-1 detected by an immunofluorescence. Duplicate cells were lysed and ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 amount determined by western blot. RESULTS: Immunofluorescent staining of MDCK cells for ZO-1 showed TJ structural disruption with increasing amount of TNFalpha characterized by fragmented staining of ZO-1. There were no significant differences in quantitation of ZO-1 or occludin in the MDCK cells for all TNFalpha concentrations. There was a significant decrease in the amount of claudin-1 with increasing concentration of TNFalpha. CONCLUSIONS: (1) MDCK TJs are qualitatively disrupted by TNFalpha. (2) This disruption is not because of a decrease in cell number, lack of cell layer confluency, or a decrease in the amount of ZO-1 or occludin. (3) The amount of claudin-1 present in the cell is decreased with increasing amounts of TNFalpha suggesting that the lack of claudin-1 may cause a relocation of ZO-1 away from the TJ. (4) This rearrangement may play a role in the increased intestinal permeability seen in CD and other diseases.
BACKGROUND: We have previously shown an increase in intestinal permeability and a corresponding decrease in the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in the in testines of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) has been implicated in the inflammatory process of CD and its suppression has therapeutic benefit. ZO-1, occludin, and the claudins are key proteins in the TJ. HYPOTHESIS: TNFalpha disrupts the TJ. METHODS: MDCK cells were incubated with TNFalpha (0-100 ng/ml) for 5 days. Qualitative evaluation of the TJ was done with monoclonal antibody to ZO-1 detected by an immunofluorescence. Duplicate cells were lysed and ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 amount determined by western blot. RESULTS: Immunofluorescent staining of MDCK cells for ZO-1 showed TJ structural disruption with increasing amount of TNFalpha characterized by fragmented staining of ZO-1. There were no significant differences in quantitation of ZO-1 or occludin in the MDCK cells for all TNFalpha concentrations. There was a significant decrease in the amount of claudin-1 with increasing concentration of TNFalpha. CONCLUSIONS: (1) MDCK TJs are qualitatively disrupted by TNFalpha. (2) This disruption is not because of a decrease in cell number, lack of cell layer confluency, or a decrease in the amount of ZO-1 or occludin. (3) The amount of claudin-1 present in the cell is decreased with increasing amounts of TNFalpha suggesting that the lack of claudin-1 may cause a relocation of ZO-1 away from the TJ. (4) This rearrangement may play a role in the increased intestinal permeability seen in CD and other diseases.
Authors: Svetlana M Stamatovic; Richard F Keep; Michael M Wang; Ivana Jankovic; Anuska V Andjelkovic Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 2009-05-07 Impact factor: 5.157
Authors: Olga J Baker; Jean M Camden; Robert S Redman; Jonathan E Jones; Cheikh I Seye; Laurie Erb; Gary A Weisman Journal: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Date: 2008-09-03 Impact factor: 4.249