Expression of Claudin-2 in intestinal metaplastic mucosa of Cdx2-transgenic mouse stomach

Objective. Cdx2 is expressed in human intestinal metaplastic mucosa and induces intestinal metaplastic mucosa in Cdx2-transgenic mouse stomach. Claudin-2 is a structural component of tight junctions in the intestine and Cdx2 activates the Claudin-2 promoter in the human intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2. Our aim is to evaluate the expression of Claudin-2 in intestinal metaplastic mucosa of Cdx2-transgenic mouse stomach. Material and methods. The Claudin-2 expression in the normal gastric mucosa and normal intestinal mucosa of wild type mice and the intestinal metaplastic mucosa of Cdx2-transgenic mice was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results. Claudin-2 was expressed in the base of the glands in intestine and intestinal metaplasia while it was not expressed in the body of stomach. Claudin-2 expression was found in the antrum of stomach, while it was weaker than that in the intestine and the intestinal metaplasia. Claudin-2 was also detected in intestinal metaplasia, colon and ileum by both Western blotting and qRT-PCR while it was not detected in gastric body. Conclusion. These results suggest that Cdx2 plays an important role in the expression of Claudin-2 in vivo.