Fig 1: Expression of TJ proteins in transmigrating cells favors their passage across RBMECs.A) Analysis by Western blots of the expression of occludin, claudins 1 to 5 and CRTAM in NIH-3T3 and L-fibroblasts, ReNcells CX and RBMECs. B) The transmigration of NIH-3T3 and L-fibroblasts across RBMECs is independent of the CM present in the basal compartment, but is significantly higher in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts that express claudin-2 than in L-fibroblast that do not express TJ proteins. N = 3, F(1,6) = 232.22, ***P<0.001; F(2,8) = 0.0895, ns = not significant; as assessed by two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test. C) Exogenous expression of occludin in L-fibroblasts enhances their transmigration across RBMECs monolayers. N = 9, t = 6.411, df = 8; ***P<0.001 as assessed by Student's t-test. D) Competing CRTAM mediated adhesion with soluble human CRTAM (CRTAM-Fc) added to the upper compartment of a Millicell insert, reduces transmigration of ReNcells CX. N = 4, F(2,6) = 73.86; ***P<0.001, ns = not significant; as assessed by one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test.