title: Expression and localization of claudins-3 and -12 in transformed human brain endothelium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to characterize the hCMEC/D3 cell line, an in vitro model of the human Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) for the expression of brain endothelial specific claudins-3 and -12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  hCMEC/D3 cells express claudins-3 and -12. Claudin-3 is distinctly localized to the TJ whereas claudin -12 is observed in the perinuclear region and completely absent from TJs. We show that the expression of both proteins is lost in cell passage numbers where the BBB properties are no longer fully conserved. Expression and localization of claudin-3 is not modulated by simvastatin shown to improve barrier function in vitro and also recommended for routine hCMEC/D3 culture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support conservation of claudin-3 and -12 expression in the hCMEC/D3 cell line and make claudin-3 a potential marker for BBB characteristics in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), LMR Penzberg, Roche, Penzberg, Germany. jens.niewoehner@roche.com.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schrade
authors.forename: Hadassah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sade
authors.forename: Pierre-Olivier
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Couraud
authors.forename: Ignacio A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Babette B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Weksler
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Niewoehner