CLDN18.1 attenuates malignancy and related signaling pathways of lung adenocarcinoma in vivo and in vitro

Claudins are a family of transmembrane proteins integral to the structure and function of tight junctions (TJ). Disruption of TJ and alterations in claudin expression are important features of invasive and metastatic cancer cells. Expression of CLDN18.1 , the lung‐specific isoform of CLDN18, is markedly decreased in lung adenocarcinoma (LuAd). Furthermore, we recently observed that aged Cldn18 −/− mice have increased propensity to develop LuAd....