Abstract
Estrogens have multiple effects on vascular physiology and function. In the present study, we look for direct estrogen target genes within junctional proteins. We use murine endothelial cell lines of brain and heart origin, which express both subtypes of estrogen receptor, ERalpha and ERbeta. Treatment of these cells with 17beta-estradiol (E2) led to an increase in transendothelial electric resistance and a most prominent upregulation of the tight junction protein claudin-5 expression. A significant increase of claudin-5 promoter activity, mRNA, and protein levels was detected in cells from both vascular beds. In protein lysates and in immunoreactions on brain sections from ovariectomized E2-treated mice, we noticed an increase in claudin-5 protein and mRNA content. Treatment of cells with a specific ERbeta agonist, diarylpropionitrile, revealed the same effect as E2 stimulation. Moreover, we detected significantly lower claudin-5 mRNA and protein content in ERbeta knockout mice. We describe claudin-5 as a novel estrogen target in vascular endothelium and show in vivo (brain endothelium) and in vitro (brain and heart endothelium) effects of estrogen on claudin-5 levels. The estrogen-induced increase in junctional protein levels may lead to an improvement in vascular structural integrity and barrier function of vascular endothelium.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
