Temporal Effects of Quercetin on Tight Junction Barrier Properties and Claudin Expression and Localization in MDCK II Cells

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Indra Gupta¹  Enrique Gamero-Estevez¹  AimeeK. Ryan¹  Sero Andonian²  Bertrand Jean-Claude³ 

[1] Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;Division of Urology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;

关键词: tight junctions;    claudins;    kidney stones;    paracellular transport;    ion reabsorption;    quercetin;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms20194889

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Kidney stones affect 10% of the population. Yet, there is relatively little known about how they form or how to prevent and treat them. The claudin family of tight junction proteins has been linked to the formation of kidney stones. The flavonoid quercetin has been shown to prevent kidney stone formation and to modify claudin expression in different models. Here we investigate the effect of quercetin on claudin expression and localization in MDCK II cells, a cation-selective cell line, derived from the proximal tubule. For this study, we focused our analyses on claudin family members that confer different tight junction properties: barrier-sealing (Cldn1, -3, and -7), cation-selective (Cldn2) or anion-selective (Cldn4). Our data revealed that quercetin’s effects on the expression and localization of different claudins over time corresponded with changes in transepithelial resistance, which was measured continuously throughout the treatment. In addition, these effects appear to be independent of PI3K/AKT signaling, one of the pathways that is known to act downstream of quercetin. In conclusion, our data suggest that quercetin’s effects on claudins result in a tighter epithelial barrier, which may reduce the reabsorption of sodium, calcium and water, thereby preventing the formation of a kidney stone.

【 授权许可】

Unknown