Fig. 3

siRNA knockdown of protocadherin-1 (PCDH1) impairs epithelial barrier formation. Effect of PCDH1 knockdown on barrier development. Human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells were transfected with control (siCtl) or PCDH1-specific siRNAs (siPCDH1_1, siPCDH1_2, and siPCDH1_3). After 24 h, cells were seeded onto the Transwell inserts, and transepithelial electrical resistance (a. left) and dextran permeability (a. right) were measured at day 3. Results are expressed as a percentage of the control value (siCtl-treated cells) and are mean ± SD values; n = 3 independent samples. Asterisk indicates a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the result between that of cells treated with siCtl. 1HAE and Calu-3 cells were transfected with control (siCtl) or PCDH1-specific siRNAs (siPCDH1_1). After 24 h, cells were seeded onto the Transwell inserts, and TER (b. left) and dextran permeability (b. right) were measured at day 3. Results are expressed as a percentage of the control value (siCtl-treated cells) and are mean ± SD (n = 3). Asterisks indicate a statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) compared to cells treated with siCtl