Inter-claudin antagonism of paracellular pore function: mechanism and beyond

ABSTRACT

Claudin-2-dependent pore function mediates paracellular cation permeability and can result in pathogenesis of many diseases. Although existing various types of claudins, including barrier-forming and pore-forming claudins, their heterodimeric interaction affecting barrier and pore functions has never been fully elucidated yet. Recently, Shashikanth and colleagues demonstrated that expression of claudin-4 was able to antagonize paracellular pore activity of claudin-2. This commentary will emphasize the mechanism underlying claudin-4-mediated claudin-2-dependent pore inhibition and discuss its potential therapeutic and prognostic applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Claudin-2
• claudin-4
• paracellular channel
• pore pathway permeability
• tight junction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Studies in the authors’ laboratory are funded by National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) (Grant No. N42A650225) (to PP).