Total RNA was isolated from whole ES epithelia of rats by laser capture microdissection. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of claudins. The expression of each claudin mRNA in the epithelial cells of rat ES was confirmed by in situ hybridization.
RT-PCR indicated the expression of cldn2, cldn4, cldn6, cldn7, cldn9, cldn11, cldn12, and cldn14. The expression of these claudin mRNAs in the epithelial cells of rat ES was confirmed by in situ hybridization.
We demonstrated mRNA expression of multiple claudins in the rat ES epithelia. These results in the ES epithelia were consistent with a role of claudins in paracellular ion transport.