Expression patterns of claudins in cancer

Daoyu Tao; Bingxin Guan; Hui Li; Chengjun Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21338

Expression patterns of claudins in cancer

Heliyon. 2023 Oct 29;9(11):e21338. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21338. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Daoyu Tao¹, Bingxin Guan¹, Hui Li¹, Chengjun Zhou¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.

Abstract

Claudins are four-transmembrane proteins, which were found in tight junctions. They maintain cell barriers and regulate cell differentiation and proliferation. They are involved in maintaining cellular polarity and normal functions. Different claudins show different expression patterns. The expression level and localization of claudins are altered in various cancers. They promote or inhibit proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells through multiple signaling pathways. Therefore, claudins may serve as diagnostic markers, novel therapeutic targets, and prognostic risk factors. The important roles of claudins in cancer aroused our great interest. In the present review, we provide a summary of insights into expression patterns of claudins in cancer, which is more comprehensive and provides new ideas for further research.

Keywords: Biomarker; Cancer; Claudins; Expression; Pathological diagnosis.

Publication types

Review