Figure 7
From: A Simulated Microgravity Environment Causes a Sustained Defect in Epithelial Barrier Function
Simulated microgravity potentiates acetaldehyde-induced decrease in epithelial ZO-1. HT-29.cl19a IECs were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, immunostained for ZO-1 (green) and occludin (red) and imaged by Zeiss LSM 510. Actin was stained with phalloidin. Nuclear staining was performed using Hoechst 33258. Arrows indicate the position of apical tight junctions. (A) Reduced levels of ZO-1 were observed in apical tight junctions of IECs at 11 days post-RWV vs. static and flask control cells. (B) A greater reduction in junctional ZO-1 was observed in IECs at day 11 post-RWV following 5 hr acetaldehyde treatment versus the reduction seen in both static and flask controls. (C) Unchallenged IECs at day 14 post-RWV show ZO-I and occludin localization to membrane junctions similar to flask and static control conditions. (D) Acetaldehyde challenge (5 hrs) disrupted junctions in all conditions but caused greater disruption of ZO-1 and occludin staining in the day 14 post-RWV condition (n = 3).
