Advertisement
Advertisement
Cite this page: Claudins - general. PathologyOutlines.com website. http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/stainsclaudins.html. Accessed July 12th, 2017.
Definition / general
- Multigene family of integral membrane proteins active in tight junction formation and function
- Most claudin genes appear decreased in cancer, while CLDN3, CLDN4 and CLDN7 are elevated in several malignancies (BMC Cancer 2006;6:186)
Pathophysiology
- Tight junctions (zonula occludens) form continuous barrier to fluids across epithelium and endothelium; regulate paracellular permeability and maintain cell polarity by blocking movement of transmembrane proteins between apical and basolateral cell surfaces (Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2006;22:207)
- Tight junctions are composed of claudin and occludin proteins, which join the junctions to the cytoskeleton
- Claudin family has > 20 integral membrane proteins, expressed in tissue specific pattern that may determine strength and properties of epithelial barrier; usually cells from a specific organ express multiple claudin proteins
Positive staining - normal
- Epithelial and endothelial cells
Advertisement
