Increased Expression of Adherens Junction Components in Mouse Liver following Bile Duct Ligation

Author(s)

Van Campenhout, Raf ^[1] ; Yanguas, Sara Crespo ^[1] ; Cooreman, Axelle ^[1] ; Gijbels, Eva ^[1] ; Leroy, Kaat ^[1] ; Vilas-Boas, Vania ^[1] ; Devoogdt, Nick ^[2] ; Muyldermans, Serge ^[3] ; Cogliati, Bruno ^[4] ; Vinken, Mathieu ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Vrije Univ Brussel, Dept In Vitro Toxicol & Dermato Cosmetol, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels - Belgium

^[2] Vrije Univ Brussel, In Vivo Cellular & Mol Imaging Lab, Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels - Belgium

^[3] Vrije Univ Brussel, Lab Cellular & Mol Immunol, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels - Belgium

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Pathol, BR-05508270 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: BIOMOLECULES; v. 9, n. 10 OCT 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Adherens junctions, consisting of cadherins and catenins, are a group of cell-to-cell junctions that mediate mechanistic linkage between neighboring cells. By doing so, adherens junctions ensure direct intercellular contact and play an indispensable role in maintaining tissue architecture. Considering these critical functions, it is not surprising that adherens junctions are frequently involved in disease. In the present study, the effects of bile duct ligation-a surgical procedure to experimentally induce cholestatic and fibrotic liver pathology-on hepatic adherens junctions were investigated in mice. In essence, it was found that liver mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin drastically increase following bile duct ligation. These results could suggest a cytoprotective role for hepatic adherens junctions following bile duct ligation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/50420-6 - Connexin and pannexin channels as drug targets and biomarkers in acute and chronic liver disease
• Grantee: Mathieu Frederick Alexander Vinken
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - SPEC Program