Occludin deficiency is associated with developmental impairment, locomotor dysfunction, and social deficiencies
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder, have been intricately linked to structural impairments and compromised permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Occludin (ocln) is a tight junction (TJ) protein known for its role in maintaining BBB integrity. In the present manuscript, we report unexpected connection between ocln deficiency and behavioral alterations resembling neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Adolescent, occludin-deficient (ocln−/−) mice displayed an abnormal growth and neurological phenotype along with deterioration of motor functions as compared to wild-type controls. Moreover, adult ocln−/− mice exhibited increased hyperactivity, social difficulties, and attention deficits compared to control mice. Among the brain structures, the hippocampus appeared to be most susceptible to ocln deficiency as it exhibited higher expression levels of ocln than both the frontal cortex and striatum. Overall, the observed behavioral alteration patterns in ocln−/− mice indicated pronounced neurological motor dysfunction and behavioral changes that parallel those seen in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. These findings are important for better understanding the role of ocln in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
Source: Tissue Barriers
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: Role of cerebral vasculature in brain ischemia in HIV infection, G3758901989, G4612509348, G4917113316, Prevention of HIV and drug abuse-induced brain pathology by targeting mitochondria, Novel role of inflammasome activation in ART neurotoxicity, Targeting Inflammasomes in Substance Abuse and HIV, Novel mechanisms of enhanced stroke susceptibility in HIV-infected brain, G9000007200, G9000117651, G9000300333, HIV-1 and amyloid beta interactions at the blood-brain barrier, Defining brain pericytes as a novel and myeloid-derived HIV reservoir, Inflammasome Activation and Gut-Brain Axis Dysregulation in HIV and Methamphetamine-Associated Depression, Adolescent exposure to PCBs as a risk factor for the development of depression
OpenAlex ID: W7140164878