Glucocorticoids and IL-13 modulate the barrier function of NCI-H441 airway epithelia via claudin 8

Introduction: In allergic asthma elevated levels of TH2 cytokines, especially IL-13 levels can be observed. Allergic asthma is typically treated with Glucocorticoids (GCs), whose anti-inflammatory properties are the predominant objective of this treatment. Recent studies showed an additional GC effect on the barrier function of the airway epithelium and identified claudin 8 (cldn8) as a major modulator of tight junctions (TJs) properties in lung epithelia. Herein we addressed whether IL-13 and GCs affects tight junctions in a distal lung epithelial model. Methods: We used air/liquid cultures of NCI-H441 cells as…