Mucosal expression of claudins 2, 3 and 4 in proximal and distal part of duodenum in children with coeliac disease

• Published in: Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology Vol. 456; no. 3; pp. 245 - 250
• Main Authors: Nagy Szakál, Dorottya, Győrffy, Hajnalka, Arató, András, Cseh, Áron, Molnár, Kriszta, Papp, Mária, Dezsőfi, Antal, Veres, Gábor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-03-2010; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy - methods; Celiac Disease - diagnosis; Celiac Disease - pathology; Child; Child, Preschool; Claudin-3; Claudin-4; Claudins; Comparative studies; Duodenum - metabolism; Duodenum - pathology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Histology; Humans; Infant; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestinal Mucosa - pathology; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lymphocytes; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Membrane Proteins - biosynthesis; Original Article; Other diseases. Semiology; Pathology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Immunohistochemistry; Duodenum; Coeliac disease; Biopsy; Claudin; Human; Proximal; Immunopathology; Membrane protein; Digestive system; Mucosa; Small intestine; Anatomic pathology; Intestinal malabsorption; Distal; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Child
• ISSN: 0945-6317; 1432-2307
• DOI: 10.1007/s00428-009-0879-7

Duodenal biopsy is an important tool to diagnose coeliac disease (CD); however, the most reliable location of biopsy site is still questionable. Claudins (CLDNs), members of a large family of adherent junction proteins, show characteristic expression pattern in inflammatory disorders; nevertheless, CLDN expression in CD is unknown. This is a comparative study to examine the CLDN 2, 3 and 4 expressions in proximal and distal part of duodenum in children with CD and in controls. Thirty-three children with newly diagnosed CD were enrolled. Fourteen healthy children served as controls. Biopsies from proximal and distal part of duodenum were taken for routine histological analysis. Immunohistochemistry were used to detect CD3+ intraepithelial lymphocytes and CLDN 2, 3 and 4 protein expressions. Macroscopic picture, routine histology and Marsh grade depicted no differences between biopsies taken from proximal or distal part of duodenum. However, CLDN 2 expression was significantly increased in severe form of coeliac disease in bulb and in distal duodenum, and in distal part of non-severe coeliac patients, in comparison to controls. Similar association was found concerning CLDN 3 expression. Expression of CLDN 4 was similar in all groups studied. Both proximal and distal mucosal duodenal biopsies are suitable for diagnosing villous atrophy in patients with CD. Increased expressions of CLDN 2 and 3 suggest structural changes of tight junction in coeliac disease which may be, at least in part, responsible for increased permeability and proliferation observed in coeliac disease.