Claudin-2 in hyperproliferative migrating keratinocytes and migration inhibition via siRNA knockdown

Claudin-2 is a tight junction protein found in various tissues including the epidermis of the skin. Intracellular signalling via claudin-2 may have an effect on cell proliferation and migration. While the role of claudin-2 in the epidermis has not been established, here we show an increase in claudin-2 expression in hyperproliferative archival skin samples. To further examine the role of claudin-2 in cell migration we examined its expression in cultured keratinocytes and found it was increased in wound margins in an in vitro scratch test assay. We then used a claudin-2 knockdown assay using small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) with a 77% transfection efficiency and decrease in claudin-2 protein via Western blot analysis to examine cell migration, which was inhibited following claudin-2 knockdown over a 5-day period. Cells transfected with claudin-2 siRNA also showed a decreased size compared to controls and a more diffuse staining pattern. Lastly we examined claudin-2 expression in migrating keratinocytes by Western blot analysis and found a significant decrease in protein staining in scratch-test assay cultures after 4 h, followed by a significant increase in claudin-2 protein after 24 h. Taken together these results indicate a role for claudin-2 signalling in proliferation and cell migration in the epidermis of the skin.