Mucosal expression of claudins 2, 3 and 4 in proximal and distal part of duodenum in children with coeliac disease.
Duodenal biopsy is an important tool to diagnose coeliac disease (CD); however, the most reliable location of biopsy site is still questionable. Claudins (CLDNs), members of a large family of adherent junction proteins, show characteristic expression pattern in inflammatory disorders; nevertheless, CLDN expression in CD is unknown. This is a comparative study to examine the CLDN 2, 3 and 4 expressions in proximal and distal part of duodenum in children with CD and in controls. Thirty-three children with newly diagnosed CD were enrolled. Fourteen healthy children served as controls. Biopsies from proximal and distal part of duodenum were taken for routine histological analysis. Immunohistochemistry were used to detect CD3+ intraepithelial lymphocytes and CLDN 2, 3 and 4 protein expressions. Macroscopic picture, routine histology and Marsh grade depicted no differences between biopsies taken from proximal or distal part of duodenum. However, CLDN 2 expression was significantly increased in severe form of coeliac disease in bulb and in distal duodenum, and in distal part of non-severe coeliac patients, in comparison to controls. Similar association was found concerning CLDN 3 expression. Expression of CLDN 4 was similar in all groups studied. Both proximal and distal mucosal duodenal biopsies are suitable for diagnosing villous atrophy in patients with CD. Increased expressions of CLDN 2 and 3 suggest structural changes of tight junction in coeliac disease which may be, at least in part, responsible for increased permeability and proliferation observed in coeliac disease.
1st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Bókay str. 53-54, 1083, Budapest, Hungary.
Dorottya Nagy
DN
Szakál
Hajnalka
H
Gyorffy
András
A
Arató
Aron
A
Cseh
Kriszta
K
Molnár
Mária
M
Papp
Antal
A
Dezsofi
Gábor
G
Veres
D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D062465:Claudin-3; D062506:Claudin-4; D057167:Claudins; D004386:Duodenum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
C491875:CLDN2 protein, human; C568122:CLDN3 protein, human; C568157:CLDN4 protein, human; D062465:Claudin-3; D062506:Claudin-4; D057167:Claudins; D008565:Membrane Proteins