Chronic hypoxia down‐regulates tight junction protein ZO‐2 expression in children with cyanotic congenital heart defect

摘要

AimsTight junction protein zonula occludens protein 2 (ZO‐2) is a member of the membrane‐associated guanylate kinases protein family known to be expressed at tight junctions of epithelial and endothelial cells and at adherens junctions (AJs) in cardiomyocytes. Little is known about ZO‐2 expression and function in the human heart. Here, we examined the hypothesis that chronic hypoxia down‐regulates ZO‐2 expression in human myocardium and cultured rat cardiomyocytes.