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2015 ; 42
(ä): 47-57
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Claudins: Gatekeepers of lung epithelial function
#MMPMID25951797
Schlingmann B
; Molina SA
; Koval M
Semin Cell Dev Biol
2015[Jun]; 42
(ä): 47-57
PMID25951797
show ga
The lung must maintain a proper barrier between airspaces and fluid filled
tissues in order to maintain lung fluid balance. Central to maintaining lung
fluid balance are epithelial cells which create a barrier to water and solutes.
The barrier function of these cells is mainly provided by tight junction proteins
known as claudins. Epithelial barrier function varies depending on the different
needs within the segments of the respiratory tree. In the lower airways, fluid is
required to maintain mucociliary clearance, whereas in the terminal alveolar
airspaces a thin layer of surfactant enriched fluid lowers surface tension to
prevent airspace collapse and is critical for gas exchange. As the epithelial
cells within the segments of the respiratory tree differ, the composition of
claudins found in these epithelial cells is also different. Among these
differences is claudin-18 which is uniquely expressed by the alveolar epithelial
cells. Other claudins, notably claudin-4 and claudin-7, are more ubiquitously
expressed throughout the respiratory epithelium. Claudin-5 is expressed by both
pulmonary epithelial and endothelial cells. Based on in vitro and in vivo model
systems and histologic analysis of lungs from human patients, roles for specific
claudins in maintaining barrier function and protecting the lung from the effects
of acute injury and disease are being identified. One surprising finding is that
claudin-18 and claudin-4 control lung cell phenotype and inflammation beyond
simply maintaining a selective paracellular permeability barrier. This suggests
claudins have more nuanced roles for the control of airway and alveolar
physiology in the healthy and diseased lung.