Changes in the expression levels of tight junction components during reconstruction of tight junction from mucosal lesion by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion.

Tight junction (TJ) is composed of the most apical components of the intercellular junctional complex in epithelial cells; TJ has cell polarity and functions as a major determinant of epithelial barrier function. In this study, to clarify the components of TJ required for its reconstruction and functional acquisition, we examined the changes in intestinal mucosal structure that depended on mucosal lesion by intestinal I/R, that is, the changes in mRNA and protein expression of the claudin family and scaffold proteins. We used an in vivo intestinal I/R model made using the spring scale and surgical sutures, and examined the mRNA and protein expression levels of TJ components by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Changes in mRNA and protein expression levels of TJ components by intestinal I/R were observed. Among them, characteristic changes were observed in claudin-2 and claudin-4. In addition, the expression behavior of multi-PDZ domain protein (MPDP) mRNA was similar to that of claudin-4. In conclusion, in the recovery process of TJ from mucosal lesion by intestinal I/R, it was suggested that claudin-2 and claudin-4 strongly participate in the reconstruction and functional acquisition of TJ, respectively. Furthermore, it was suggested that MPDZ, which is scaffold protein, also has an important role in these processes.