Conditional pulmonary over-expression of Claudin 6 during embryogenesis delays lung morphogenesis

• DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.150086pr
• Publication Date: 2015-07-22T10:49:05Z
• Authors: Felix R. Jimenez; Samuel T. Belgique; Joshua B. Lewis; Scott A. Albright; Cameron M. Jones; Brian M. Howell; Aleksander P. Mika; Tyson R. Jergensen; Jason R. Gassman; Ryan J. Morris; Juan A. Arroyo; Paul R. Reynolds
• Keywords: Claudin; Immunostaining

Claudin 6 (Cldn6) is a tetraspanin protein expressed by barrier epithelial cells. In order to assess the effects of persistent tight junctions involving Cldn6 during lung development, doxycycline (dox)-inducible conditional transgenic mouse was generated that up-regulates in distal lung. Pups had unlimited access dox from conception until sacrifice date at embryonic day (E) 18.5. Quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry revealed significantly elevated expression mice compared non-transgenic controls. There were no differences terms size, weight, or whole body weight time necropsy. Histological evaluations led discovery E18.5 pups appeared be early canalicular stage development coincident with fewer, thickened respiratory airspaces. contrast, controls have entered saccular characterized thin airspace walls spherical architecture. Immunostaining for transcriptional regulators including TTF-1 FoxA2 conducted cell differentiation specific types identified via staining pro-surfactant C (alveolar type II cells) Clara Cell Secretory Protein (cub cells). Lastly, turnover qualitatively measured proliferation apoptosis. These data suggest an important junctional potentially involved programming cells development. Furthermore, genetic down-regulation as proceeds may influence observed transition