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Liu W, Feng Y, Li T, Shi T, Hui W, Liu H, Gao F. The role of enhanced expression of Cx43 in patients with ulcerative colitis. Open Med (Wars) 2024; 19:20230885. [PMID: 38770177 PMCID: PMC11103162 DOI: 10.1515/med-2023-0885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC) involves chronic inflammation of the submucosal layer and disruption of epithelial barrier function within the gastrointestinal tract. Connexin 43 (Cx43) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of intestinal inflammation and its associated carcinogenic effects. However, a comprehensive analysis of Cx43's role in mucosal and peripheral immunity in patients with UC is lacking. In this study, the colon tissues of patients with UC exhibited severe damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier, resulting in a significant impairment of junctional communication as observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of Cx43 was found to be significantly elevated in the UC group compared to the control group, as determined using the Affymetrix expression profile chip and subsequently validated using qRT-PCR. The immunofluorescence analysis revealed a significantly higher mean fluorescence intensity of Cx43 in the UC group compared to the control group. Additionally, Cx43 was observed in both the cell membrane and nucleus, providing clear evidence of nuclear translocation. The proportion of Cx43 in the UC group for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was increased in the control group, but only the proportion of Cx43 for CD8+ T lymphocytes showed significant difference by flow cytometry. The involvement of Cx43 in the pathogenesis of UC and its potential role in mucosal immunity warrants further investigation, as it holds promise as a prospective biomarker and therapeutic target for this condition. The proportion of Cx43 in the UC group for CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was increased in the control group, but only the proportion of Cx43 for CD8+ T lymphocytes showed a significant difference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830000, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Urumqi, 830000, China
| | - Yan Feng
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830000, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Urumqi, 830000, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830000, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Urumqi, 830000, China
| | - Tian Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830000, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Urumqi, 830000, China
| | - Wenjia Hui
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830000, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Urumqi, 830000, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830000, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Urumqi, 830000, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830000, China
- Xinjiang Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Urumqi, 830000, China
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Xu H, Wang X, Zhu F, Guo S, Chao Z, Cao C, Lu Z, Zhu H, Wang M, Zhu F, Yang J, Zeng R, Yao Y. Comprehensive Pan-Cancer Analysis of Connexin 43 as a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Human Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC). MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:780. [PMID: 38792963 PMCID: PMC11123162 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is involved in the transfer of small signaling molecules between neighboring cells, thereby exerting a major influence on the initiation and progression of tumorigenesis. However, there is a lack of systematic research on Cx43 expression and its predictive role in clinical diagnosis and prognosis in pan-cancer. Materials and Methods: Several biological databases were used to evaluate the expression levels of GJA1 (encoding Cx43) and its diagnostic and prognostic significance in pan-cancer. We targeted kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) and investigated the relationship between GJA1 expression and different clinical features of KIRC patients. Then, we performed cell-based experiments to partially confirm our results and predicted several proteins that were functionally related to Cx43. Results: The expression of GJA1 has a high level of accuracy in predicting KIRC. High GJA1 expression was remarkably correlated with a favorable prognosis, and this expression was reduced in groups with poor clinical features in KIRC. Cell experiments confirmed the inhibitory effects of increased GJA1 expression on the migratory capacity of human renal cancer (RCC) cell lines, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis predicted that CDH1 and CTNNB1 were closely related to Cx43. Conclusions: GJA1 could be a promising independent favorable prognostic factor for KIRC, and upregulation of GJA1 expression could inhibit the migratory capacity of renal cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huzi Xu
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Xiuru Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Fan Zhu
- Wuhan Central Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China;
| | - Shuiming Guo
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Zheng Chao
- Division of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China;
| | - Chujin Cao
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Zhihui Lu
- Division of Nursing, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China;
| | - Han Zhu
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Meng Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Fengming Zhu
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Juan Yang
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Rui Zeng
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
| | - Ying Yao
- Division of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (H.X.); (X.W.); (S.G.); (C.C.); (H.Z.); (M.W.); (F.Z.); (J.Y.)
- Division of Nutrition, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China
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Zhou M, Zheng M, Zhou X, Tian S, Yang X, Ning Y, Li Y, Zhang S. The roles of connexins and gap junctions in the progression of cancer. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:8. [PMID: 36639804 PMCID: PMC9837928 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-01009-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs), which are composed of connexins (Cxs), provide channels for direct information exchange between cells. Cx expression has a strong spatial specificity; however, its influence on cell behavior and information exchange between cells cannot be ignored. A variety of factors in organisms can modulate Cxs and subsequently trigger a series of responses that have important effects on cellular behavior. The expression and function of Cxs and the number and function of GJs are in dynamic change. Cxs have been characterized as tumor suppressors in the past, but recent studies have highlighted the critical roles of Cxs and GJs in cancer pathogenesis. The complex mechanism underlying Cx and GJ involvement in cancer development is a major obstacle to the evolution of therapy targeting Cxs. In this paper, we review the post-translational modifications of Cxs, the interactions of Cxs with several chaperone proteins, and the effects of Cxs and GJs on cancer. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Zhou
- grid.265021.20000 0000 9792 1228Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070 People’s Republic of China
| | - Minying Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300121 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyue Zhou
- grid.265021.20000 0000 9792 1228Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shifeng Tian
- grid.265021.20000 0000 9792 1228Graduate School, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070 People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohui Yang
- grid.216938.70000 0000 9878 7032Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yidi Ning
- grid.216938.70000 0000 9878 7032Nankai University School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Li
- grid.417031.00000 0004 1799 2675Department of Colorectal Surgery, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Tianjin, 300121 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shiwu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300121 People’s Republic of China
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Lee W, Suresh M. Vaccine adjuvants to engage the cross-presentation pathway. Front Immunol 2022; 13:940047. [PMID: 35979365 PMCID: PMC9376467 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.940047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adjuvants are indispensable components of vaccines for stimulating optimal immune responses to non-replicating, inactivated and subunit antigens. Eliciting balanced humoral and T cell-mediated immunity is paramount to defend against diseases caused by complex intracellular pathogens, such as tuberculosis, malaria, and AIDS. However, currently used vaccines elicit strong antibody responses, but poorly stimulate CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. To elicit potent CTL memory, vaccines need to engage the cross-presentation pathway, and this requirement has been a crucial bottleneck in the development of subunit vaccines that engender effective T cell immunity. In this review, we focus on recent insights into DC cross-presentation and the extent to which clinically relevant vaccine adjuvants, such as aluminum-based nanoparticles, water-in oil emulsion (MF59) adjuvants, saponin-based adjuvants, and Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands modulate DC cross-presentation efficiency. Further, we discuss the feasibility of using carbomer-based adjuvants as next generation of adjuvant platforms to elicit balanced antibody- and T-cell based immunity. Understanding of the molecular mechanism of DC cross-presentation and the mode of action of adjuvants will pave the way for rational design of vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer that require balanced antibody- and T cell-based immunity.
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