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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Analysis of Protein-protein Interactions and Co-localization Between Components of Gap, Tight, and Adherens Junctions in Murine Mammary Glands
Published on: May 30, 2017
The expressions of claudin-1 and E-cadherin in junctional epithelium
T Fujita1, K Hayashida, H Shiba
1Department of Periodontal Medicine, Division of Frontier Medical Science, Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Japan. tfuji@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Background And Objective:
The epithelium provides an important barrier against microbial invasion. Tight junction structural proteins called claudins are known to contribute to the epithelial cell barrier. Junctional epithelium is located at a strategically important interface between gingival sulcus and is interconnected by desmosomes and gap junctions, but not by tight junctions. Although claudins are tight junction-associated proteins, they are also expressed in the epithelium despite its lack of tight junctions in invertebrates. Therefore, claudins may play an important role in junctional epithelium without tight junctions. E-cadherin is a key molecule in the formation of adherence junctions and desmosomes. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expressions of claudin-1,claudin-3, claudin-7 and E-cadherin in the junctional epithelium of Fischer 344 rats.
Material And Methods:
Gingival tissues from Fischer 344 rats were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining for claudin-1, claudin-3, claudin-7, and E-cadherin.
Results:
Intense staining for claudin-1 and E-cadherin were observed in the junctional epithelium. In contrast to claudin-1, claudin-3 was mainly expressed in oral gingival epithelium and claudin-7 could not be detected on immunohistochemical analysis of the rat gingiva.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that claudin-1 and E-cadherin exist in the junctional epithelium and may play an important role in epithelial barrier function.
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