Claudin-7 (CLDN7), a member of the claudin family of tight junction proteins, plays a critical role in maintaining epithelial barrier integrity and regulating paracellular permeability. It is broadly expressed in epithelial tissues, including the intestine, kidney, and mammary glands, where it contributes to cell polarity, adhesion, and signal transduction. Dysregulation of CLDN7 has been implicated in various pathologies, such as cancer metastasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and renal dysfunction. For instance, reduced CLDN7 expression is associated with poor prognosis in certain cancers (e.g., breast and gastric cancers), while its overexpression may promote tumorigenesis in others (e.g., colorectal cancer).
CLDN7 antibodies are essential tools for studying its localization, expression patterns, and functional roles. They are widely used in techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence to investigate tissue-specific expression or pathological alterations. Commercially available antibodies target specific extracellular or intracellular epitopes, with validation often performed using knockout models or siRNA-mediated silencing. Researchers also utilize CLDN7 antibodies to explore its interactions with other tight junction proteins or signaling molecules, aiding in the development of therapeutic strategies targeting epithelial barrier dysfunction or cancer progression. However, antibody specificity remains a challenge, necessitating rigorous validation to avoid cross-reactivity with other claudin isoforms.