{"type": "root", "children": [{"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n CLDN34 is a member of the claudin family, a group of tight junction proteins that play key roles in maintaining epithelial barrier integrity and regulating paracellular transport. In one study, a recombinant C‐terminus from Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (C‐CPE) was conjugated to gold nanoparticles to specifically target claudin‐expressing tumor cells. The C‐CPE moiety bound to claudins present on the surfaces of cells (including claudin‐3, ‐4 and ‐7), thereby enabling laser‐mediated nanoparticle perforation as a novel approach for tumor cell killing."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "1"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " Such an approach implies that members of the claudin family, potentially including CLDN34, are not just structural components establishing barrier integrity but also promising targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n \n "}, {"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n In a separate investigation focusing on host immunity and host–microbe interactions, proper functioning of the epithelial barrier was underscored as essential for preventing aberrant inflammatory responses. Although the study mainly addressed the complex interplay between host genetics, microbiome diversity, and inflammation, the underlying role of tight junction proteins like the claudins is central to maintaining mucosal barrier function. Disruption in claudin-mediated cell–cell adhesion can lead to compromised barrier integrity and contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions."}, {"type": "fg", "children": [{"type": "fg_f", "ref": "2"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " This observation further supports the concept that proteins such as CLDN34 may have dual importance—both in preserving tissue homeostasis and as potential targets when barrier integrity is artificially exploited for therapeutic purposes."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": "\n \n "}, {"type": "p", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "\n Together, these studies suggest that CLDN34, along with other claudins, plays a pivotal role in establishing and regulating tight junctions in epithelial cells. Its function is not only critical for controlling paracellular permeability and maintaining tissue integrity, but it also represents a viable target in emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at selectively delivering treatments to diseased cells.\n "}]}, {"type": "rg", "children": [{"type": "r", "ref": 1, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Annegret Becker, Miriam Leskau, Barbara L Schlingmann-Molina, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Functionalization of gold-nanoparticles by the Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin C-terminus for tumor cell ablation using the gold nanoparticle-mediated laser perforation technique."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Sci Rep (2018)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1038/s41598-018-33392-0"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33392-0"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "30297847"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30297847"}]}, {"type": "r", "ref": 2, "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "Emily A Beck, Mark C Currey, Clayton M Small, et al. "}, {"type": "b", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "QTL Mapping of Intestinal Neutrophil Variation in Threespine Stickleback Reveals Possible Gene Targets Connecting Intestinal Inflammation and Systemic Health."}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " "}, {"type": "i", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "G3 (Bethesda) (2020)"}]}, {"type": "t", "text": " DOI: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "10.1534/g3.119.400685"}], "href": "https://doi.org/10.1534/g3.119.400685"}, {"type": "t", "text": " PMID: "}, {"type": "a", "children": [{"type": "t", "text": "31843804"}], "href": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31843804"}]}]}]}