Title: Expression of tricellular tight junction proteins and the paracellular macromolecule barrier
are recovered in remission of ulcerative colitis
Version: 2 Date: 17 Jan 2021
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript by Hu et al analyzed the expression of tricellulin and angulin along with
intestinal barrier function, aiming to define the role of tricellulin in the relapse of UC. It is well
written, and presented clearly. However, there are several comments that need to be addressed:
Major comments:
1. Does Tricellulin show different distribution pattern in UCact and UCrem patients used in this
study?
2. The claim “point against a primary barrier defect in this barrier component sealing against
macromolecule uptake” is too strong, needs to be toned down. The current study does not
necessarily rule against it.
3. It is quite surprising that angulin-1 of UCact could not be determined, while the same samples
can be used to determine the expression of Tricellulin and claudin-4. These data need to be
shown.
4. The mRNA expression of tricellulin, claudin and angulin in UCact patients should also be
presented (along with data from CTRL and UCrem patients).
5. When normalizing the gene expression, the author should consider epithelial specific gene,
such as hprt1, assuming genes of interests are largely present in epithelial cells.
6. For Figure 1a/b, please clarify if the data is plotted against the total expression of tricellulin
in CTRL (a), or against the ratio of tricellulin/actin in CTRL (b). Please also clarify this for
Figure 1c/d, Figure 1e/f.
Minor comments:
1. In the introduction, the author can briefly mention claudin 2, 4; transepithelial resistance,
epithelial and subepithelial resistance.
Title: Expression of tricellular tight junction proteins and the paracellular macromolecule barrier
are recovered in remission of ulcerative colitis
Version: 2 Date: 17 Jan 2021
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript by Hu et al analyzed the expression of tricellulin and angulin along with
intestinal barrier function, aiming to define the role of tricellulin in the relapse of UC. It is well
written, and presented clearly. However, there are several comments that need to be addressed:
Major comments:
1. Does Tricellulin show different distribution pattern in UCact and UCrem patients used in this
study?
2. The claim “point against a primary barrier defect in this barrier component sealing against
macromolecule uptake” is too strong, needs to be toned down. The current study does not
necessarily rule against it.
3. It is quite surprising that angulin-1 of UCact could not be determined, while the same samples
can be used to determine the expression of Tricellulin and claudin-4. These data need to be
shown.
4. The mRNA expression of tricellulin, claudin and angulin in UCact patients should also be
presented (along with data from CTRL and UCrem patients).
5. When normalizing the gene expression, the author should consider epithelial specific gene,
such as hprt1, assuming genes of interests are largely present in epithelial cells.
6. For Figure 1a/b, please clarify if the data is plotted against the total expression of tricellulin
in CTRL (a), or against the ratio of tricellulin/actin in CTRL (b). Please also clarify this for
Figure 1c/d, Figure 1e/f.
Minor comments:
1. In the introduction, the author can briefly mention claudin 2, 4; transepithelial resistance,
epithelial and subepithelial resistance.
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Expression of tricellular tight junction proteins and the paracellular macromolecule barrier
are recovered in remission of ulcerative colitis
Version: 2 Date: 17 Jan 2021
Reviewer's report:
The manuscript by Hu et al analyzed the expression of tricellulin and angulin along with
intestinal barrier function, aiming to define the role of tricellulin in the relapse of UC. It is well
written, and presented clearly. However, there are several comments that need to be addressed:
Major comments:
1. Does Tricellulin show different distribution pattern in UCact and UCrem patients used in this
study?
2. The claim “point against a primary barrier defect in this barrier component sealing against
macromolecule uptake” is too strong, needs to be toned down. The current study does not
necessarily rule against it.
3. It is quite surprising that angulin-1 of UCact could not be determined, while the same samples
can be used to determine the expression of Tricellulin and claudin-4. These data need to be
shown.
4. The mRNA expression of tricellulin, claudin and angulin in UCact patients should also be
presented (along with data from CTRL and UCrem patients).
5. When normalizing the gene expression, the author should consider epithelial specific gene,
such as hprt1, assuming genes of interests are largely present in epithelial cells.
6. For Figure 1a/b, please clarify if the data is plotted against the total expression of tricellulin
in CTRL (a), or against the ratio of tricellulin/actin in CTRL (b). Please also clarify this for
Figure 1c/d, Figure 1e/f.
Minor comments:
1. In the introduction, the author can briefly mention claudin 2, 4; transepithelial resistance,
epithelial and subepithelial resistance.
assistant