Effect of LCZ on the expression of tight junction proteins of mice mammary tissue
Tight junction proteins in mice mammary tissue, such as claudin-3, occludin, and ZO-1, were clearly localized on the interstitial side, including the intercellular regions of the neighboring alveolar epithelial cells, before E. coli injection (Control group). However, in the E. coli group, these three proteins were distributed in parts of the mammary alveolar lumen. The claudin-3, occludin, and ZO-1-positive reactions in the alveolar lumen were promoted in mice in the LCZ + E. coli group. In the LCZ group, these three proteins were all clearly localized on the interstitial side, and no visible differences were noted compared with the Control group (Figure 7A, 7B, and 7C).
As shown in Figure 7D, the expression levels of tight junction proteins, such as claudin-3, occludin, and ZO-1, in the mammary tissues of mice were significantly down-regulated in the E. coli group compared with the other groups. The expression levels of the three proteins were significantly up-regulated in the LCZ + E. coli group relative to the E. coli group. No significant differences in the expression levels of the three proteins were noted between the LCZ and Control groups.