Anti-Occludin (Marker of Early Blood Brain Barrier Damage) Monoclonal Antibody (Clone: OCLN/2181)

Occludin is a tetraspan integral membrane protein in epithelial and endothelial tight junction (TJ) structures that can contain two extracellular loops. The protein exists in a variety of phosphorylated forms. Phosphorylation is involved in regulating both the localization and the function of Occludin. Expression of Occludin is upregulated by polyunsaturated fatty acids, increasing trans-endothelial cell resistance and reducing cellular permeability to large molecules. The level of Occludin varies greatly depending on tissue; in brain tissue, Occludin is highly expressed at cell-cell contact sites. Non-neural tissues show lower expression and discontinuous distribution. Occludin is a tight junction protein that is a key structural component of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) . Degradation of Occludin is frequently seen in ischemic stroke and contributes to BBB disruption.