Claudin‐23 Strengthens the Colonic Epithelial Barrier by Regulating Claudin‐3 and ‐4 proteins in the Tight Junction Plasma Membrane

Colonic epithelial barrier function is controlled by differential expression of Claudin (CLDN) proteins in the crypt-luminal axis. We recently identified the expression of a CLDN family member, CLDN-23, in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). However, the role of CLDN-23 in regulating epithelial barrier function has not been identified. Analysis of the human and murine intestinal crypt-luminal axis revealed increased CLDN-23 expression in differentiated IECs facing the lumen compared to the proliferative crypt-base IECs. Similarly, CLDN-23 expression was higher in differentiated human and murine IECs cultured as a monolayer on permeable supports compared to proliferative IECs cultured in a 3D matrigel matrix. To investigate the contribution of CLDN-23 in regulating IEC barrier function in vivo, we generated inducible intestinal-epithelia specific (Villin-CreERT2 ) Cldn23 knockout mice (Cldn23ERΔIEC ). Functional analysis displayed increased intestinal mucosal permeability to 4kDa FITC dextran, indicating compromised epithelial barrier function. To confirm this observation, we created human IECs in which CLDN-23 expression was either silenced or enhanced in vitro. CLDN-23 loss increased paracellular permeability to 4kDa FITC dextran and reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) consistent with a leaky barrier. Conversely, CLDN-23 overexpression resulted in improved barrier function. Altogether, these data suggest that CLDN-23 controls the IEC barrier function. Evaluation of CLDN protein interactions employing co-culture of HeLa cells expressing CLDN-23 with those expressing either CLDN-2, CLDN-3, or CLDN-4 showed that CLDN-23 interacts in trans with barrier-forming CLDN-3 and CLDN-4, but not with pore-forming CLDN-2. Using in situ proximity ligation assay, we observed close association in cis between CLDN-23 and barrier-forming CLDN-3 and CLDN-4 in the TJ plasma membrane, but not with CLDN-2. These findings suggest that CLDN-23 interacts in both cis and trans with barrier-forming CLDN-3 and CLDN-4 in differentiated IECs. Interestingly, the overexpression of CLDN-23 in human IECs revealed up-regulation of barrier-forming CLDN-3 protein expression in the TJ while decreasing the pore-forming CLDN-2 protein at this site. In conclusion, we identified that CLDN-23 strengthens the colonic barrier properties by orchestrating the composition of CLDN protein interactions in epithelial TJs.