Human salivary gland branching morphogenesis: morphological localization of claudins and its parallel relation with developmental stages revealed by expression of cytoskeleton and secretion markers

Development of salivary glands is a highly complex and dynamic process termed branching morphogenesis, where branched structures differentiate into mature glands. Tight junctions (TJ) are thought to play critical roles in physiological functions of tubular organs, contributing to cell polarity and p...

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Published in:Histochemistry and cell biology 2007-10, Vol.128 (4), p.361-369
Main Authors: Lourenço, Silvia V, Coutinho-Camillo, Cláudia M, Buim, Marcilei E C, Uyekita, Sabrina H, Soares, Fernando A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biochemistry
Biomarkers
Body fluids
Cell Shape
Cellular biology
Cytoskeleton - metabolism
Cytoskeleton - secretion
Embryology
Histology
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Membrane Proteins - metabolism
Membrane Proteins - secretion
Membranes
Salivary Glands - cytology
Salivary Glands - embryology
Salivary Glands - metabolism
Salivary Glands - secretion
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Summary:Development of salivary glands is a highly complex and dynamic process termed branching morphogenesis, where branched structures differentiate into mature glands. Tight junctions (TJ) are thought to play critical roles in physiological functions of tubular organs, contributing to cell polarity and preventing lateral movement of membrane proteins. Evidence demonstrated that claudins are directly involved in TJ formation and function. Using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence we have mapped the distribution of claudins-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 11 and compared it with the expression of differentiation markers in human salivary glands obtained from foetuses ranging from weeks 4 to 24 of gestation. Expression of all claudins, except claudin-2 was detected in the various phases of human salivary gland development, up to fully mature salivary gland. The expression of all claudins increased according to the progression of salivary gland maturation evidenced by the classical markers-cytokeratin 14, cytokeratin low molecular weight, smooth muscle actin and human secretory component. Tight junction proteins-claudins appear to be important in the final shape and physiological functions of human salivary glands and are parallel related with markers of salivary gland differentiation.
ISSN:0948-6143
1432-119X
DOI:10.1007/s00418-007-0322-6