Figure 3.

Representative confocal photomicrographs comparing localization patterns of claudins-1 (C1), -2(C2), -4(C4) and -7(C7) and occludin (Ocld) in Misoprostol treated (M+, right panel) and untreated (M-, left panel) cervix. The FIT-c (green) and Cyanine-3 (Cy-3-red) labelled secondary antibodies were used; DAPI (blue) for nuclear staining with overlays of red, green and blue (RGB) channels. In the untreated cervix, occludin (red) shifted to intermediate and more superficial layers (3B-red). In the untreated cervix, occludin (3A-red) and claudin-2 (3A green) were expressed in basal layers only (3A-overaly) but following Misoprostol treatment, de novo expression of claudin-2 (3B-green) in the intermediate layer resulted in both now localizing in the basal and intermediate layers (3B-overlay). Compared to diffuse lattice pattern in basal to intermediate layers in the untreated cervix (3C red), Misoprostol induced expression of claudin-7(3D red) in basal and intermediate layers. Claudin-4 was expressed mainly in the nuclei throughout the ectothelium (3C green) in the untreated cervix, with de novo cytoplasmic expression in Misoprostol-treated tissue (3D & 3F green). Claudins 1 and 4 exhibit nuclear and plasma membrane expressions in Misoprostol-treated cohort (3F). Arrows at basement membranes; S-stroma, E-epithelium. 3A- 2 × 2 tile; × 20air objective. NA-0.8, Bar = 8 μm.