Fig. 3: CLDN11 is required for SCTJ formation and Sertoli cell barrier function. | Communications Biology

Fig. 3: CLDN11 is required for SCTJ formation and Sertoli cell barrier function.

From: Claudin-11 regulates immunological barrier formation and spermatogonial proliferation through stem cell factor

Fig. 3

a Ultrathin section electron microscopy of seminiferous tubules from Cldn11+/− and Cldn11−/− mice. Yellow arrowheads indicate close contacts between neighboring plasma membranes of Sertoli cells. Yellow arrows indicate intercellular spaces without plasma membrane contacts between adjacent Sertoli cells. Blue asterisks indicate endoplasmic reticulum cisternae constituting ectoplasmic specializations. Red asterisks indicate large gaps between Sertoli cell plasma membranes associated with ectoplasmic specializations. Biotin tracer assay. Sulfo-NHS-LC-Biotin was injected into the interstitium of testes from Cldn11+/− and Cldn11−/− mice. Immunohistochemistry of testis sections from Cldn11+/− and Cldn11−/− mice using anti-ZO1 antibody and streptavidin conjugated to a fluorescent dye (b). Testis sections from Cldn11+/− and Cldn11−/− mice were labeled with streptavidin (c). Scale bars: 200 nm (a), 10 μm (b), and 50 μm (c).

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