Claudin-12 is not required for blood–brain barrier tight junction function
Abstract Background The blood–brain barrier (BBB) ensures central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis by strictly controlling the passage of molecules and solutes from the bloodstream into the CNS. Complex and continuous tight junctions (TJs) between brain endothelial cells block uncontrolled paracellu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-09-01
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| Series: | Fluids and Barriers of the CNS |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12987-019-0150-9 |
| _version_ | 1818845928059043840 |
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| author | Mariana Castro Dias Caroline Coisne Pascale Baden Gaby Enzmann Lillian Garrett Lore Becker Sabine M. Hölter German Mouse Clinic Consortium Martin Hrabě de Angelis Urban Deutsch Britta Engelhardt |
| author_facet | Mariana Castro Dias Caroline Coisne Pascale Baden Gaby Enzmann Lillian Garrett Lore Becker Sabine M. Hölter German Mouse Clinic Consortium Martin Hrabě de Angelis Urban Deutsch Britta Engelhardt |
| author_sort | Mariana Castro Dias |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The blood–brain barrier (BBB) ensures central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis by strictly controlling the passage of molecules and solutes from the bloodstream into the CNS. Complex and continuous tight junctions (TJs) between brain endothelial cells block uncontrolled paracellular diffusion of molecules across the BBB, with claudin-5 being its dominant TJs protein. However, claudin-5 deficient mice still display ultrastructurally normal TJs, suggesting the contribution of other claudins or tight-junction associated proteins in establishing BBB junctional complexes. Expression of claudin-12 at the BBB has been reported, however the exact function and subcellular localization of this atypical claudin remains unknown. Methods We created claudin-12-lacZ-knock-in C57BL/6J mice to explore expression of claudin-12 and its role in establishing BBB TJs function during health and neuroinflammation. We furthermore performed a broad standardized phenotypic check-up of the mouse mutant. Results Making use of the lacZ reporter allele, we found claudin-12 to be broadly expressed in numerous organs. In the CNS, expression of claudin-12 was detected in many cell types with very low expression in brain endothelium. Claudin-12lacZ/lacZ C57BL/6J mice lacking claudin-12 expression displayed an intact BBB and did not show any signs of BBB dysfunction or aggravated neuroinflammation in an animal model for multiple sclerosis. Determining the precise localization of claudin-12 at the BBB was prohibited by the fact that available anti-claudin-12 antibodies showed comparable detection and staining patterns in tissues from wild-type and claudin-12lacZ/lacZ C57BL/6J mice. Conclusions Our present study thus shows that claudin-12 is not essential in establishing or maintaining BBB TJs integrity. Claudin-12 is rather expressed in cells that typically lack TJs suggesting that claudin-12 plays a role other than forming classical TJs. At the same time, in depth phenotypic screening of clinically relevant organ functions of claudin-12lacZ/lacZ C57BL/6J mice suggested the involvement of claudin-12 in some neurological but, more prominently, in cardiovascular functions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:37:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b1116867b20646f1b85edf115b29df05 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-8118 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:37:27Z |
| publishDate | 2019-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fluids and Barriers of the CNS |
| spelling | doaj.art-b1116867b20646f1b85edf115b29df052022-12-21T20:34:06ZengBMCFluids and Barriers of the CNS2045-81182019-09-0116111710.1186/s12987-019-0150-9Claudin-12 is not required for blood–brain barrier tight junction functionMariana Castro Dias0Caroline Coisne1Pascale Baden2Gaby Enzmann3Lillian Garrett4Lore Becker5Sabine M. Hölter6German Mouse Clinic Consortium7Martin Hrabě de Angelis8Urban Deutsch9Britta Engelhardt10Theodor Kocher Institute, University of BernTheodor Kocher Institute, University of BernTheodor Kocher Institute, University of BernTheodor Kocher Institute, University of BernGerman Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center MunichGerman Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center MunichGerman Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center MunichGerman Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center MunichGerman Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center MunichTheodor Kocher Institute, University of BernTheodor Kocher Institute, University of BernAbstract Background The blood–brain barrier (BBB) ensures central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis by strictly controlling the passage of molecules and solutes from the bloodstream into the CNS. Complex and continuous tight junctions (TJs) between brain endothelial cells block uncontrolled paracellular diffusion of molecules across the BBB, with claudin-5 being its dominant TJs protein. However, claudin-5 deficient mice still display ultrastructurally normal TJs, suggesting the contribution of other claudins or tight-junction associated proteins in establishing BBB junctional complexes. Expression of claudin-12 at the BBB has been reported, however the exact function and subcellular localization of this atypical claudin remains unknown. Methods We created claudin-12-lacZ-knock-in C57BL/6J mice to explore expression of claudin-12 and its role in establishing BBB TJs function during health and neuroinflammation. We furthermore performed a broad standardized phenotypic check-up of the mouse mutant. Results Making use of the lacZ reporter allele, we found claudin-12 to be broadly expressed in numerous organs. In the CNS, expression of claudin-12 was detected in many cell types with very low expression in brain endothelium. Claudin-12lacZ/lacZ C57BL/6J mice lacking claudin-12 expression displayed an intact BBB and did not show any signs of BBB dysfunction or aggravated neuroinflammation in an animal model for multiple sclerosis. Determining the precise localization of claudin-12 at the BBB was prohibited by the fact that available anti-claudin-12 antibodies showed comparable detection and staining patterns in tissues from wild-type and claudin-12lacZ/lacZ C57BL/6J mice. Conclusions Our present study thus shows that claudin-12 is not essential in establishing or maintaining BBB TJs integrity. Claudin-12 is rather expressed in cells that typically lack TJs suggesting that claudin-12 plays a role other than forming classical TJs. At the same time, in depth phenotypic screening of clinically relevant organ functions of claudin-12lacZ/lacZ C57BL/6J mice suggested the involvement of claudin-12 in some neurological but, more prominently, in cardiovascular functions.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12987-019-0150-9Claudin-12Tight junctionsBlood–brain barrierExperimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis |
| spellingShingle | Mariana Castro Dias Caroline Coisne Pascale Baden Gaby Enzmann Lillian Garrett Lore Becker Sabine M. Hölter German Mouse Clinic Consortium Martin Hrabě de Angelis Urban Deutsch Britta Engelhardt Claudin-12 is not required for blood–brain barrier tight junction function Fluids and Barriers of the CNS Claudin-12 Tight junctions Blood–brain barrier Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis |
| title | Claudin-12 is not required for blood–brain barrier tight junction function |
| title_full | Claudin-12 is not required for blood–brain barrier tight junction function |
| title_fullStr | Claudin-12 is not required for blood–brain barrier tight junction function |
| title_full_unstemmed | Claudin-12 is not required for blood–brain barrier tight junction function |
| title_short | Claudin-12 is not required for blood–brain barrier tight junction function |
| title_sort | claudin 12 is not required for blood brain barrier tight junction function |
| topic | Claudin-12 Tight junctions Blood–brain barrier Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12987-019-0150-9 |
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