Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Department of Neonatology, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Ir J Med Sci. 2021 Nov;190(4):1465-1472. doi: 10.1007/s11845-020-02490-2. Epub 2021 Jan 25.
Claudin proteins are a component of tight junctions found in cell-cell adhesion complexes. A central feature of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is intestinal permeability, with changes to claudin proteins potentially contributing to intestinal instability, inflammation, and the progression of NEC. A current area of interest is the development of a novel, noninvasive biomarker for the detection of NEC in neonates at risk of developing this disease, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality through earlier intervention.
This review aims to explore the relevance of claudin proteins in the pathophysiology of NEC and their potential usefulness as a biomarker.
This review was conducted using the search terms "claudin" + "necrotizing enterocolitis", with 27 papers selected for review.
Claudin proteins appear to have a role in the stability of the gut epithelium through the regulation of intestinal permeability, maturity, and inflammation. Formula feeding has been shown to promote inflammation and result in changes to claudin proteins, while breastfeeding and certain nutritional supplements lead to reduced inflammation and improved intestinal stability as demonstrated through changes to claudin protein expression. Preliminary studies in human neonates suggest that urinary claudin measurements may be used to predict the development of NEC.
Alterations to claudin proteins may reflect changes seen to intestinal permeability and inflammation in the context of NEC. Further research is necessary to understand the relevance of claudin proteins in the pathophysiology of NEC and their use as a biomarker.
紧密连接蛋白是细胞间黏附复合物中紧密连接的组成部分。坏死性小肠结肠炎（NEC）的一个主要特征是肠道通透性增加，紧密连接蛋白的变化可能导致肠道不稳定、炎症和 NEC 的进展。目前的一个研究领域是开发一种新的、非侵入性的生物标志物，用于检测有发生该病风险的新生儿的 NEC，以便通过早期干预降低发病率和死亡率。
本综述旨在探讨紧密连接蛋白在 NEC 的病理生理学中的相关性及其作为生物标志物的潜在用途。
使用搜索词“claudin”+“necrotizing enterocolitis”进行了本次综述，选择了 27 篇论文进行综述。
紧密连接蛋白似乎通过调节肠道通透性、成熟度和炎症在肠道上皮的稳定性中发挥作用。配方奶喂养已被证明可促进炎症并导致紧密连接蛋白发生变化，而母乳喂养和某些营养补充剂可减少炎症并改善肠道稳定性，这可通过紧密连接蛋白表达的变化来证明。对人类新生儿的初步研究表明，尿中 claudin 的测量值可用于预测 NEC 的发生。
紧密连接蛋白的改变可能反映了 NEC 中肠道通透性和炎症的变化。需要进一步研究以了解紧密连接蛋白在 NEC 的病理生理学中的相关性及其作为生物标志物的用途。
