Tissue‐specific expression of the tight junction proteins claudins and occludin in the rat salivary glands

Tight junctions (TJs) are essential features of endothelial barrier membranes and of fluid‐secreting epithelial cells, such as in the salivary glands. Novel integral membrane proteins have been identified as components of TJs, namely claudins and occludin. The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of occludin and claudins in the large salivary glands of the rat. The parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands were harvested from adult Sprague–Dawley rats and cryostat sections were stained using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods. Claudin‐1 was expressed in endothelial cells of microvessels and in short selected segments of the duct system. Claudin‐3 was expressed principally in the acinar cells and intercalated ducts, while claudin‐4 was principally expressed by the striated and interlobular ducts. Claudin‐5 was specific to endothelial cells of microvessels. Occludin was ubiquitously detected in the duct system. Double labelling and confocal microscopy showed some co‐localization of claudin‐3 with claudin‐4, and minimal co‐localization of occludin with claudin‐4, in the striated ducts. Claudin 2 was not detected in any of the salivary glands. The results indicate specificity of the chemical composition of tight junctions in the rat salivary glands, and may reflect different physiological roles for TJs in the glandular and duct epithelial cells, and in endothelial cells of salivary gland microvessels.