Figure 7.
Catestatin (CST) maintains gene expression of TJ proteins in LPS- and DSS-stimulated Caco-2 epithelial cell lines through potentially the STAT3 pathway. Caco-2 cells were treated with 1× phosphate buffer saline (PBS) or CST (100 ng/mL) in medium for 24 h then challenged with LPS (1 μg/mL) or 5% DSS for an additional 24 h in the presence or absence of STAT3 inhibitor (10−5 M, STATTIC; Sigma, Mississauga, ON, Canada). (A,B) mRNA levels expression of TJ proteins (Claudin (CLDN1), zonula occludens-1 (ZO1), and occludin (OCLN) in LPS- and DSS-stimulated epithelial cells. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data followed by multiple comparison tests. Data represent mean ± SEM (n = 6–9). # Compared to control groups. Each experiment was repeated at least three times.