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Moon DO. Interplay between paclitaxel, gap junctions, and kinases: unraveling mechanisms of action and resistance in cancer therapy. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:472. [PMID: 38551726 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09411-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review elucidates the multifaceted roles of paclitaxel, a key chemotherapeutic agent, in cancer therapy, with a focus on its interactions with gap junctions and related kinases. Paclitaxel, with its complex diterpene structure, mediates its anticancer effects predominantly through specific interactions with β-tubulin, instigating cell cycle arrest and triggering various cell death pathways, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and necroptosis. The paper systematically delineates the chemical attributes and action mechanisms of paclitaxel and its analogs, underscoring their capacity to disrupt microtubule dynamics, thereby leading to mitotic arrest and subsequent cell death induction. It also scrutinizes the pivotal role of gap junctions, composed of connexin proteins, in the modulation of cancer cell behavior and chemoresistance, especially in the milieu of paclitaxel administration. The review articulates how gap junctions can either suppress tumors or contribute to cancer progression, thereby influencing chemotherapy outcomes. Furthermore, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of how paclitaxel modulates gap junction-associated kinases via phosphorylation, influencing the drug's therapeutic efficacy and resistance profiles. By integrating insights from numerous key studies, the review offers a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between paclitaxel, gap junctions, and kinases, shedding light on potential approaches to augment paclitaxel's anti-tumor effectiveness and counteract chemoresistance in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Oh Moon
- Department of Biology Education, Daegu University, 201, Daegudae-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 38453, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Giri J, Modi D. Endometrial and placental stem cells in successful and pathological pregnancies. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1509-1522. [PMID: 37338750 PMCID: PMC10352206 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02856-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is a dynamic tissue that undergoes extensive remodeling during the menstrual cycle and further gets modified during pregnancy. Different kinds of stem cells are reported in the endometrium. These include epithelial stem cells, endometrial mesenchymal stem cells, side population stem cells, and very small embryonic-like stem cells. Stem cells are also reported in the placenta which includes trophoblast stem cells, side population trophoblast stem cells, and placental mesenchymal stem cells. The endometrial and placental stem cells play a pivotal role in endometrial remodeling and placental vasculogenesis during pregnancy. The dysregulation of stem cell function is reported in various pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and preterm birth. However, the mechanisms by which it does so are yet elusive. Herein, we review the current knowledge of the different type of stem cells involved in pregnancy initiation and also highlight how their improper functionality leads to pathological pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayeeta Giri
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and child Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), JM Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India.
| | - Deepak Modi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and child Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), JM Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India.
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3
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Nagy V, Mounir R, Szebeni GJ, Szakonyi Z, Gémes N, Minorics R, Germán P, Zupkó I. Investigation of Anticancer Properties of Monoterpene-Aminopyrimidine Hybrids on A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10581. [PMID: 37445759 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to characterize the antiproliferative and antimetastatic properties of two recently synthesized monoterpene-aminopyrimidine hybrids (1 and 2) on A2780 ovary cancer cells. Both agents exerted a more pronounced cell growth inhibitory action than the reference agent cisplatin, as determined by the MTT assay. Tumor selectivity was assessed using non-cancerous fibroblast cells. Hybrids 1 and 2 induced changes in cell morphology and membrane integrity in A2780 cells, as evidenced by Hoechst 33258-propidium iodide fluorescent staining. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry revealed substantial changes in the distribution of A2780 ovarian cancer cells, with an increased rate in the subG1 and G2/M phases, at the expense of the G1 cell population. Moreover, the tested molecules accelerated tubulin polymerization in a cell-free in vitro system. The antimetastatic properties of both tested compounds were investigated by wound healing and Boyden chamber assays after 24 and 48 h of incubation. Treatment with 1 and 2 resulted in time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of migration and invasion of A2780 cancer cells. These results support that the tested agents may be worth of further investigation as promising anticancer drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktória Nagy
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Raji Mounir
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor J Szebeni
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Eötvös Loránd Research Network Biological Research Centre, Institute of Genetics, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Szakonyi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Natural Products, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Gémes
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Eötvös Loránd Research Network Biological Research Centre, Institute of Genetics, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Renáta Minorics
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Péter Germán
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - István Zupkó
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Natural Products, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
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4
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Kovács T, Lajter I, Kúsz N, Schelz Z, Bózsity-Faragó N, Borbás A, Zupkó I, Krupitza G, Frisch R, Hohmann J, Vasas A, Mándi A. Isolation and NMR Scaling Factors for the Structure Determination of Lobatolide H, a Flexible Sesquiterpene from Neurolaena lobata. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065841. [PMID: 36982924 PMCID: PMC10052924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A new flexible germacranolide (1, lobatolide H) was isolated from the aerial parts of Neurolaena lobata. The structure elucidation was performed by classical NMR experiments and DFT NMR calculations. Altogether, 80 theoretical level combinations with existing 13C NMR scaling factors were tested, and the best performing ones were applied on 1. 1H and 13C NMR scaling factors were also developed for two combinations utilizing known exomethylene containing derivatives, and the results were complemented by homonuclear coupling constant (JHH) and TDDFT-ECD calculations to elucidate the stereochemistry of 1. Lobatolide H possessed remarkable antiproliferative activity against human cervical tumor cell lines with different HPV status (SiHa and C33A), induced cell cycle disturbance and exhibited a substantial antimigratory effect in SiHa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Kovács
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 400, 4002 Debrecen, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ildikó Lajter
- Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Norbert Kúsz
- Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Schelz
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Noémi Bózsity-Faragó
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anikó Borbás
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Zupkó
- Institute of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Georg Krupitza
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Frisch
- Institute for Ethnobiology, Playa Diana, San José GT-170, Guatemala
| | - Judit Hohmann
- Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-USZ Biologically Active Natural Products Research Group, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Andrea Vasas
- Institute of Pharmacognosy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
- ELKH-USZ Biologically Active Natural Products Research Group, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Mándi
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Debrecen, P.O. Box 400, 4002 Debrecen, Hungary
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5
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The Multifaceted Role of Connexins in Tumor Microenvironment Initiation and Maintenance. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020204. [PMID: 36829482 PMCID: PMC9953436 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Today's research on the processes of carcinogenesis and the vital activity of tumor tissues implies more attention be paid to constituents of the tumor microenvironment and their interactions. These interactions between cells in the tumor microenvironment can be mediated via different types of protein junctions. Connexins are one of the major contributors to intercellular communication. They form the gap junctions responsible for the transfer of ions, metabolites, peptides, miRNA, etc., between neighboring tumor cells as well as between tumor and stromal cells. Connexin hemichannels mediate purinergic signaling and bidirectional molecular transport with the extracellular environment. Additionally, connexins have been reported to localize in tumor-derived exosomes and facilitate the release of their cargo. A large body of evidence implies that the role of connexins in cancer is multifaceted. The pro- or anti-tumorigenic properties of connexins are determined by their abundance, localization, and functionality as well as their channel assembly and non-channel functions. In this review, we have summarized the data on the contribution of connexins to the formation of the tumor microenvironment and to cancer initiation and progression.
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6
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Lee CW, Kuo CC, Liang CJ, Pan HJ, Shen CN, Lee CH. Effects of the media conditioned by various macrophage subtypes derived from THP-1 cells on tunneling nanotube formation in pancreatic cancer cells. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:26. [PMID: 35794526 PMCID: PMC9258106 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-022-00428-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are special membrane structures for intercellular communications. Vital cargoes (such as mitochondria) could be delivered from healthy cells to rescue damaged ones through TNTs. The TNTs could be utilized for the purpose of systematic delivery of therapeutic agents between cells. However, there are insufficient studies on the controlled enhancement of TNT formations. The purpose of this study is to understand how macrophages influence the TNT formation in cancer cells.
Results
Here we compared the capabilities of inducing TNTs in human pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1) of the media conditioned by M0, M1 and M2 macrophages derived from THP-1 cells. The M0 and M1 macrophage conditioned media promoted TNT formation. Using a focused ion beam to cut through a TNT, we observed tunnel-like structures inside dense cytoskeletons with scanning electron microscopy. The TNT formation correlated with raised motility, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in the PANC-1 cells. Mitochondria and lysosomes were also found to be transported in the TNTs.
Conclusions
These results suggest that TNT formation could be one of the responses to the immune stress in pancreatic cancer cells caused by M0 and M1 macrophages. This finding is valuable for the development of macrophage-targeting cancer therapy.
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Miranda AL, Kourdova LT, Racca AC, Cruz Del Puerto M, Rojas ML, Marques ALX, Silva ECO, Fonseca EJS, Gazzoni Y, Gruppi A, Borbely AU, Genti‐Raimondi S, Panzetta‐Dutari GM. Krüppel‐like factor 6 participates in extravillous trophoblast cell differentiation and its expression is reduced in abnormally invasive placenta. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:1700-1719. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Miranda
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
| | - Lucille T. Kourdova
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
| | - Ana C. Racca
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
| | - Mariano Cruz Del Puerto
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
| | - Maria L. Rojas
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
| | - Aldilane L. X. Marques
- Cell Biology Laboratory Institute of Health and Biological Sciences Federal University of Alagoas Maceio Brazil
| | - Elaine C. O. Silva
- Optics and Nanoscopy Group Physics Institute Federal University of Alagoas Maceio Brazil
| | - Eduardo J. S. Fonseca
- Optics and Nanoscopy Group Physics Institute Federal University of Alagoas Maceio Brazil
| | - Yamila Gazzoni
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
| | - Adriana Gruppi
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
| | - Alexandre U. Borbely
- Cell Biology Laboratory Institute of Health and Biological Sciences Federal University of Alagoas Maceio Brazil
| | - Susana Genti‐Raimondi
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
| | - Graciela M. Panzetta‐Dutari
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI) Ciudad Universitaria X5000HUA Córdoba Argentina
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8
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Upregulated miR-206 Aggravates Deep Vein Thrombosis by Regulating GJA1-Mediated Autophagy of Endothelial Progenitor Cells. Cardiovasc Ther 2022; 2022:9966306. [PMID: 35360546 PMCID: PMC8956392 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9966306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the third most prevalent vascular disease worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play regulatory roles in functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which is becoming a promising therapeutic choice for thrombus resolution. Nevertheless, the role of miR-206 in EPCs is unclear. Methods EPCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of patients with DVT. In DVT mouse models, DVT was induced by stenosis of the inferior vena cava (IVC). The levels of miR-206 and gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1) in EPCs and vascular tissues of DVT mice were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and angiogenesis were tested by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, Transwell assay, flow cytometry analysis, and in vitro tube formation assay. The levels of autophagy-related proteins as well as the level of GJA1 in EPCs and vascular tissues were evaluated by western blotting. DVT formation in vivo was observed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of thrombus resolution markers, CD34 molecule (CD34) and matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), in the thrombi was measured by immunofluorescence staining. Results miR-206 overexpression inhibited proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis and promoted apoptosis of EPCs, while miR-206 knockdown exerted an opposite effect on EPC phenotypes. Downregulation of GJA1, the target of miR-206, abolished the influence of miR-206 on EPC phenotypes. Furthermore, silencing of miR-206 suppressed the autophagy of EPCs via upregulating GJA1. miR-206 knockdown repressed thrombus formation, enhanced the homing ability of EPCs to the thrombosis site, and facilitated thrombus resolution in DVT mouse models. Additionally, miR-206 was upregulated while GJA1 was downregulated in vascular tissues of DVT mice. miR-206 knockdown elevated GJA1 expression in vascular tissues of DVT mice. The expression of miR-206 was negatively correlated with that of GJA1 in DVT mice. Conclusion miR-206 knockdown upregulates GJA1 to inhibit autophagy of EPCs and then promote EPC proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, thereby enhancing EPC homing to thrombi and facilitating thrombus resolution.
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Shi W, Meng Z, Luo J. Connexin 43 (Cx43) regulates high-glucose-induced retinal endothelial cell angiogenesis and retinal neovascularization. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:909207. [PMID: 36120455 PMCID: PMC9478119 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.909207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an important microvascular complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and a major cause of blindness. Retinal neovascularization plays a critical role in the proliferative DR. In this study, high glucose-induced connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in human retinal endothelial cells (hRECs) in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with hRECs under normal culture conditions, high-glucose (HG)-stimulated hRECs showed promoted tubule formation, increased ROS release, and elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in the culture medium. HG-induced alterations were further magnified after Cx43 overexpression, whereas partially eliminated after Cx43 knockdown. Finally, in the DR mouse model, impaired retinal structure, increased CD31 expression, and elevated mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, VEGFA, and ICAM-1 were observed; in-vivo Cx43 knockdown partially reversed these phenomena. Conclusively, Cx43 knockdown could inhibit hREC angiogenesis, therefore improving DR in the mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhishang Meng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hunan Clinical Research Center of Ophthalmic Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Luo,
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10
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Cx43 Promotes Endothelial Cell Migration and Angiogenesis via the Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-2. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010294. [PMID: 35008716 PMCID: PMC8745637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) is associated with increased cell migration and to related changes of the actin cytoskeleton, which is mediated via its C-terminal cytoplasmic tail and is independent of its channel function. Cx43 has been shown to possess an angiogenic potential, however, the role of Cx43 in endothelial cell migration has not yet been investigated. Here, we found that the knock-down of Cx43 by siRNA in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) reduces migration, as assessed by a wound assay in vitro and impaired aortic vessel sprouting ex vivo. Immunoprecipitation of Cx43 revealed an interaction with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2, which enhanced its phosphatase activity, as observed in Cx43 expressing HeLa cells compared to cells treated with an empty vector. Interestingly, the expression of a dominant negative substrate trapping mutant SHP-2 (CS) in HMEC, via lentiviral transduction, also impaired endothelial migration to a similar extent as Cx43 siRNA compared to SHP-2 WT. Moreover, the reduction in endothelial migration upon Cx43 siRNA could not be rescued by the introduction of a constitutively active SHP-2 construct (EA). Our data demonstrate that Cx43 and SHP-2 mediate endothelial cell migration, revealing a novel interaction between Cx43 and SHP-2, which is essential for this process.
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11
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Vasas A, Lajter I, Kúsz N, Király SB, Kovács T, Kurtán T, Bózsity N, Nagy N, Schelz Z, Zupkó I, Krupitza G, Frisch R, Mándi A, Hohmann J. Isolation, Structure Determination of Sesquiterpenes from Neurolaena lobata and Their Antiproliferative, Cell Cycle Arrest-Inducing and Anti-Invasive Properties against Human Cervical Tumor Cells. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13122088. [PMID: 34959370 PMCID: PMC8704432 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Seven new germacranolides (1–3, 5–8), among them a heterodimer (7), and known germacranolide (4), eudesmane (9) and isodaucane (10) sesquiterpenes were isolated from the aerial parts of Neurolaena lobata. Their structures were determined by using a combination of different spectroscopic methods, including HR-ESIMS and 1D and 2D NMR techniques supported by DFT-NMR calculations. The enantiomeric purity of the new compounds was investigated by chiral HPLC analysis, while their absolute configurations were determined by TDDFT-ECD and OR calculations. Due to the conformationally flexible macrocycles and difficulties in assigning the relative configuration, 13C and 1H NMR chemical shift and ECD and OR calculations were performed on several stereoisomers of two derivatives. The isolated compounds (1–10) were shown to have noteworthy antiproliferative activities against three human cervical tumor cell line with different HPV status (HeLa, SiHa and C33A). Additionally, lobatolide C (6) exhibited substantial antiproliferative properties, antimigratory effect, and it induced cell cycle disturbance in SiHa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vasas
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (A.V.); (I.L.); (N.K.)
| | - Ildikó Lajter
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (A.V.); (I.L.); (N.K.)
| | - Norbert Kúsz
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (A.V.); (I.L.); (N.K.)
| | - Sándor Balázs Király
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (S.B.K.); (T.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (S.B.K.); (T.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Tibor Kurtán
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (S.B.K.); (T.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Noémi Bózsity
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (N.B.); (N.N.); (Z.S.); (I.Z.)
| | - Nikolett Nagy
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (N.B.); (N.N.); (Z.S.); (I.Z.)
| | - Zsuzsanna Schelz
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (N.B.); (N.N.); (Z.S.); (I.Z.)
| | - István Zupkó
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (N.B.); (N.N.); (Z.S.); (I.Z.)
| | - Georg Krupitza
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Richard Frisch
- Institute for Ethnobiology, Playa Diana, San José GT-170, Petén, Guatemala;
| | - Attila Mándi
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; (S.B.K.); (T.K.); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (J.H.)
| | - Judit Hohmann
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6., H-6720 Szeged, Hungary; (A.V.); (I.L.); (N.K.)
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Natural Products, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (J.H.)
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12
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Si R, Cabrera JTO, Tsuji-Hosokawa A, Guo R, Watanabe M, Gao L, Lee YS, Moon JS, Scott BT, Wang J, Ashton AW, Rao JN, Wang JY, Yuan JXJ, Makino A. HuR/Cx40 downregulation causes coronary microvascular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. JCI Insight 2021; 6:147982. [PMID: 34747371 PMCID: PMC8663561 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.147982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with diabetes with coronary microvascular disease (CMD) exhibit higher cardiac mortality than patients without CMD. However, the molecular mechanism by which diabetes promotes CMD is poorly understood. RNA-binding protein human antigen R (HuR) is a key regulator of mRNA stability and translation; therefore, we investigated the role of HuR in the development of CMD in mice with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic mice exhibited decreases in coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR; a determinant of coronary microvascular function) and capillary density in the left ventricle. HuR levels in cardiac endothelial cells (CECs) were significantly lower in diabetic mice and patients with diabetes than the controls. Endothelial-specific HuR-KO mice also displayed significant reductions in CFVR and capillary density. By examining mRNA levels of 92 genes associated with endothelial function, we found that HuR, Cx40, and Nox4 levels were decreased in CECs from diabetic and HuR-KO mice compared with control mice. Cx40 expression and HuR binding to Cx40 mRNA were downregulated in CECs from diabetic mice. Cx40-KO mice exhibited decreased CFVR and capillary density, whereas endothelium-specific Cx40 overexpression increased capillary density and improved CFVR in diabetic mice. These data suggest that decreased HuR contributes to the development of CMD in diabetes through downregulation of gap junction protein Cx40 in CECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Si
- Department of Physiology, The University of Arizona (UA), Tucson, Arizona, USA.,Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Shaanxi, China
| | | | | | - Rui Guo
- Department of Physiology, The University of Arizona (UA), Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Makiko Watanabe
- Department of Physiology, The University of Arizona (UA), Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Lei Gao
- Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Yun Sok Lee
- Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jae-Su Moon
- Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Brian T Scott
- Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Physiology, The University of Arizona (UA), Tucson, Arizona, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anthony W Ashton
- Division of Perinatal Research, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jaladanki N Rao
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jian-Ying Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Ayako Makino
- Department of Physiology, The University of Arizona (UA), Tucson, Arizona, USA.,Department of Medicine, UCSD, La Jolla, California, USA
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13
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Koepple C, Zhou Z, Huber L, Schulte M, Schmidt K, Gloe T, Kneser U, Schmidt VJ, de Wit C. Expression of Connexin43 Stimulates Endothelial Angiogenesis Independently of Gap Junctional Communication In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147400. [PMID: 34299018 PMCID: PMC8306600 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cx) form gap junctions (GJ) and allow for intercellular communication. However, these proteins also modulate gene expression, growth, and cell migration. The downregulation of Cx43 impairs endothelial cell migration and angiogenetic potential. Conversely, endothelial Cx43 expression is upregulated in an in vivo angiogenesis model relying on hemodynamic forces. We studied the effects of Cx43 expression on tube formation and proliferation in HUVECs and examined its dependency on GJ communication. Expectedly, intercellular communication assessed by dye transfer was linked to Cx43 expression levels in HUVECs and was sensitive to a GJ blockade by the Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap27. The proliferation of HUVECs was not affected by Cx43 overexpression using Cx43 cDNA transfection, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cx43, or the inhibition of GJ compared to the controls (transfection of an empty vector, scrambled siRNA, and the solvent). In contrast, endothelial tube and sprout formation in HUVECs was minimized after Cx43 knockdown and significantly enhanced after Cx43 overexpression. This was not affected by a GJ blockade (Gap27). We conclude that Cx43 expression positively modulates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells independent of GJ communication. Since proliferation remained unaffected, we suggest that Cx43 protein may modulate endothelial cell migration, thereby supporting angiogenesis. The modulation of Cx43 expression may represent an exploitable principle for angiogenesis induction in clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Koepple
- Department for Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg University, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany; (Z.Z.); (L.H.); (M.S.); (U.K.)
- Correspondence: (C.K.); (V.J.S.); (C.d.W.)
| | - Zizi Zhou
- Department for Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg University, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany; (Z.Z.); (L.H.); (M.S.); (U.K.)
| | - Lena Huber
- Department for Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg University, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany; (Z.Z.); (L.H.); (M.S.); (U.K.)
| | - Matthias Schulte
- Department for Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg University, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany; (Z.Z.); (L.H.); (M.S.); (U.K.)
| | - Kjestine Schmidt
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität zu Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany;
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Torsten Gloe
- Physiology, Institute of Theoretical Medicine, Universität Augsburg, 86159 Augsburg, Germany;
| | - Ulrich Kneser
- Department for Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Heidelberg University, 67071 Ludwigshafen, Germany; (Z.Z.); (L.H.); (M.S.); (U.K.)
| | - Volker Jürgen Schmidt
- Department for Plastic Surgery and Breast Surgery, Zealand University Hospital (SUH) Roskilde, Copenhagen University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Correspondence: (C.K.); (V.J.S.); (C.d.W.)
| | - Cor de Wit
- Institut für Physiologie, Universität zu Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany;
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), 23562 Lübeck, Germany
- Correspondence: (C.K.); (V.J.S.); (C.d.W.)
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14
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Ngezahayo A, Ruhe FA. Connexins in the development and physiology of stem cells. Tissue Barriers 2021; 9:1949242. [PMID: 34227910 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2021.1949242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) form gap junction (GJ) channels linking vertebrate cells. During embryogenesis, Cxs are expressed as early as the 4-8 cell stage. As cells differentiate into pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and during gastrulation, the Cx expression pattern is adapted. Knockdown of Cx43 and Cx45 does not interfere with embryogenic development until the blastula stage, questioning the role of Cxs in PSC physiology and development. Studies in cultivated and induced PSCs (iPSCs) showed that Cx43 is essential for the maintenance of self-renewal and the expression of pluripotency markers. It was found that the role of Cxs in PSCs is more related to regulation of transcription or cell-cell adherence than to formation of GJ channels. Furthermore, a crucial role of Cxs for the self-renewal and differentiation was shown in cultivated adult mesenchymal stem cells. This review aims to highlight aspects that link Cxs to the function and physiology of stem cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaclet Ngezahayo
- Dept. Cell Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frederike A Ruhe
- Dept. Cell Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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15
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Xu W, Dielubanza E, Maisel A, Leung K, Mustoe T, Hong S, Galiano R. Staphylococcus aureus impairs cutaneous wound healing by activating the expression of a gap junction protein, connexin-43 in keratinocytes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:935-947. [PMID: 32409862 PMCID: PMC11072219 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03545-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic wounds have been considered as major medical problems that may result in expensive healthcare. One of the common causes of chronic wounds is bacterial contamination that leads to persistent inflammation and unbalanced host cell immune responses. Among the bacterial strains that have been identified from chronic wounds, Staphylococcus aureus is the most common strain. We previously observed that S. aureus impaired mouse cutaneous wound healing by delaying re-epithelialization. Here, we investigated the mechanism of delayed re-epithelialization caused by S. aureus infection. With the presence of S. aureus exudate, the migration of in vitro cultured human keratinocytes was significantly inhibited and connexin-43 (Cx43) was upregulated. Inhibition of keratinocyte migration by S. aureus exudate disappeared in keratinocytes where the expression of Cx43 knocked down. Protein kinase phosphorylation array showed that phosphorylation of Akt-S473 was upregulated by S. aureus exudate. In vivo study of Cx43 in S. aureus-infected murine splinted cutaneous wound model showed upregulation of Cx43 in the migrating epithelial edge by S. aureus infection. Treatment with a PI3K/Akt inhibitor reduced Cx43 expression and overcame the wound closure impairment by S. aureus infection in the mouse model. This may contribute to the development of treatment to bacterium-infected wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412, USA.
| | - Elodi Dielubanza
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Amanda Maisel
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Kai Leung
- Division of Combat Wound Repair, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JB Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, 78234, USA
| | - Thomas Mustoe
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Seok Hong
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Robert Galiano
- Laboratory for Wound Repair and Regenerative Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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16
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Petralia F, Tignor N, Reva B, Koptyra M, Chowdhury S, Rykunov D, Krek A, Ma W, Zhu Y, Ji J, Calinawan A, Whiteaker JR, Colaprico A, Stathias V, Omelchenko T, Song X, Raman P, Guo Y, Brown MA, Ivey RG, Szpyt J, Guha Thakurta S, Gritsenko MA, Weitz KK, Lopez G, Kalayci S, Gümüş ZH, Yoo S, da Veiga Leprevost F, Chang HY, Krug K, Katsnelson L, Wang Y, Kennedy JJ, Voytovich UJ, Zhao L, Gaonkar KS, Ennis BM, Zhang B, Baubet V, Tauhid L, Lilly JV, Mason JL, Farrow B, Young N, Leary S, Moon J, Petyuk VA, Nazarian J, Adappa ND, Palmer JN, Lober RM, Rivero-Hinojosa S, Wang LB, Wang JM, Broberg M, Chu RK, Moore RJ, Monroe ME, Zhao R, Smith RD, Zhu J, Robles AI, Mesri M, Boja E, Hiltke T, Rodriguez H, Zhang B, Schadt EE, Mani DR, Ding L, Iavarone A, Wiznerowicz M, Schürer S, Chen XS, Heath AP, Rokita JL, Nesvizhskii AI, Fenyö D, Rodland KD, Liu T, Gygi SP, Paulovich AG, Resnick AC, Storm PB, Rood BR, Wang P. Integrated Proteogenomic Characterization across Major Histological Types of Pediatric Brain Cancer. Cell 2020; 183:1962-1985.e31. [PMID: 33242424 PMCID: PMC8143193 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We report a comprehensive proteogenomics analysis, including whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and proteomics and phosphoproteomics profiling, of 218 tumors across 7 histological types of childhood brain cancer: low-grade glioma (n = 93), ependymoma (32), high-grade glioma (25), medulloblastoma (22), ganglioglioma (18), craniopharyngioma (16), and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (12). Proteomics data identify common biological themes that span histological boundaries, suggesting that treatments used for one histological type may be applied effectively to other tumors sharing similar proteomics features. Immune landscape characterization reveals diverse tumor microenvironments across and within diagnoses. Proteomics data further reveal functional effects of somatic mutations and copy number variations (CNVs) not evident in transcriptomics data. Kinase-substrate association and co-expression network analysis identify important biological mechanisms of tumorigenesis. This is the first large-scale proteogenomics analysis across traditional histological boundaries to uncover foundational pediatric brain tumor biology and inform rational treatment selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Petralia
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nicole Tignor
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Boris Reva
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mateusz Koptyra
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Shrabanti Chowdhury
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Dmitry Rykunov
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Azra Krek
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Weiping Ma
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yuankun Zhu
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jiayi Ji
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Anna Calinawan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Antonio Colaprico
- Department of Public Health Science, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Vasileios Stathias
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Data Science and Computing, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Tatiana Omelchenko
- Cell Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Pichai Raman
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yiran Guo
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Miguel A Brown
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Richard G Ivey
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - John Szpyt
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Center for Multiplexed Proteomics, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sanjukta Guha Thakurta
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Center for Multiplexed Proteomics, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marina A Gritsenko
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Karl K Weitz
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Gonzalo Lopez
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Selim Kalayci
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zeynep H Gümüş
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Seungyeul Yoo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Hui-Yin Chang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Karsten Krug
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02412, USA
| | - Lizabeth Katsnelson
- Institute for Systems Genetics; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Ying Wang
- Institute for Systems Genetics; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jacob J Kennedy
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Lei Zhao
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Krutika S Gaonkar
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Brian M Ennis
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Valerie Baubet
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lamiya Tauhid
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jena V Lilly
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer L Mason
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bailey Farrow
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nathan Young
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sarah Leary
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jamie Moon
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Vladislav A Petyuk
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Javad Nazarian
- Children's National Research Institute, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20010, USA; Department of Oncology, Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zürich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Nithin D Adappa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - James N Palmer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Robert M Lober
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton, OH 45404, USA
| | - Samuel Rivero-Hinojosa
- Children's National Research Institute, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20010, USA
| | - Liang-Bo Wang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Joshua M Wang
- Institute for Systems Genetics; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Matilda Broberg
- Institute for Systems Genetics; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Rosalie K Chu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Ronald J Moore
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Matthew E Monroe
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Rui Zhao
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Richard D Smith
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ana I Robles
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mehdi Mesri
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emily Boja
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tara Hiltke
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Henry Rodriguez
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eric E Schadt
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - D R Mani
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02412, USA
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 631110, USA; McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA; Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Antonio Iavarone
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Neurology, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Maciej Wiznerowicz
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznań, Poland; International Institute for Molecular Oncology, 61-203 Poznań, Poland
| | - Stephan Schürer
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Data Science and Computing, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33146, USA
| | - Xi S Chen
- Department of Public Health Science, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Allison P Heath
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jo Lynne Rokita
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alexey I Nesvizhskii
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David Fenyö
- Institute for Systems Genetics; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Karin D Rodland
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA; Department of Cell, Developmental, and Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97221, USA
| | - Tao Liu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Steven P Gygi
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Center for Multiplexed Proteomics, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Adam C Resnick
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Phillip B Storm
- Center for Data-Driven Discovery in Biomedicine, Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Brian R Rood
- Children's National Research Institute, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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17
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Mulkearns-Hubert EE, Reizes O, Lathia JD. Connexins in Cancer: Jekyll or Hyde? Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1654. [PMID: 33321749 PMCID: PMC7764653 DOI: 10.3390/biom10121654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression, localization, and function of connexins, the protein subunits that comprise gap junctions, are often altered in cancer. In addition to cell-cell coupling through gap junction channels, connexins also form hemichannels that allow communication between the cell and the extracellular space and perform non-junctional intracellular activities. Historically, connexins have been considered tumor suppressors; however, they can also serve tumor-promoting functions in some contexts. Here, we review the literature surrounding connexins in cancer cells in terms of specific connexin functions and propose that connexins function upstream of most, if not all, of the hallmarks of cancer. The development of advanced connexin targeting approaches remains an opportunity for the field to further interrogate the role of connexins in cancer phenotypes, particularly through the use of in vivo models. More specific modulators of connexin function will both help elucidate the functions of connexins in cancer and advance connexin-specific therapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin E. Mulkearns-Hubert
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (O.R.); (J.D.L.)
| | - Ofer Reizes
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (O.R.); (J.D.L.)
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College, Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Justin D. Lathia
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (O.R.); (J.D.L.)
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College, Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
- Rose Ella Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
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18
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GJA1 Expression and Its Prognostic Value in Cervical Cancer. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:8827920. [PMID: 33299882 PMCID: PMC7709497 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8827920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gap Junction Protein Alpha 1 (GJA1) belongs to the gap junction family and has been widely studied in cancers. We evaluated the role of GJA1 in cervical cancer (CC) using public data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The difference of GJA1 expression level between CC and normal tissues was analyzed by the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), six GEO datasets, and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). The relationship between clinicopathological features and GJA1 expression was analyzed by the chi-squared test and the logistic regression. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were used to assessing the effect of GJA1 expression on survival. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to screen the signaling pathways regulated by GJA1. Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI) was chosen to analyze the immune cells affected by GJA1. The expression of GJA1 in CC was significantly lower than that in normal tissues based on the GEPIA, GEO datasets, and HPA. Both the chi-squared test and the logistic regression showed that high-GJA1 expression was significantly correlated with keratinization, hormone use, tumor size, and FIGO stage. The Kaplan–Meier curves suggested that high-GJA1 expression could indicate poor prognosis (p = 0.0058). Multivariate analysis showed that high-GJA1 expression was an independent predictor of poor overall survival (HR, 4.084; 95% CI, 1.354-12.320; p = 0.013). GSEA showed many cancer-related pathways, such as the p53 signaling pathway and the Wnt signaling pathway, were enriched in the high-GJA1-expression group. Immune cell abundance analysis revealed that the abundance of CD8 naive, DC, and neutrophil was significantly increased in the high-GJA1-expression group. In conclusion, GJA1 can be regarded as a potential prognostic marker of poor survival and therapeutic target in CC. Moreover, many cancer-related pathways may be the critical pathways regulated by GJA1. Furthermore, GJA1 can affect the abundance of immune cells.
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Boucher J, Balandre AC, Debant M, Vix J, Harnois T, Bourmeyster N, Péraudeau E, Chépied A, Clarhaut J, Debiais F, Monvoisin A, Cronier L. Cx43 Present at the Leading Edge Membrane Governs Promigratory Effects of Osteoblast-Conditioned Medium on Human Prostate Cancer Cells in the Context of Bone Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12103013. [PMID: 33081404 PMCID: PMC7602984 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In its late stages, prostate cancer (PCa) is characterized by a high propensity to form osteoblastic bone metastases, mainly treated by palliative approaches. In a previous work, we demonstrated that a gap junctional protein, connexin43 (Cx43) is implicated both in the increase of aggressiveness of PCa cells and in their impact on bone. To analyze the reciprocal part of the dialogue, the current study addresses the role of Cx43 in the impact of bone microenvironment on PCa cells abilities. Using Cx43-overexpressing PCa cell lines, we determined that Cx43 is necessary for promigratory effect induced by osteoblastic conditioned media (ObCM) on individual cells. Next, we demonstrated the requirement of Cx43 membrane localization at the leading edge and the involvement of the cytoplasmic part in this ObCM-induced migration. Overall, our findings precise the role of Cx43 during PCa progression and its putative use as aggressiveness marker and as potential therapeutic targets. Abstract Among the different interacting molecules implicated in bone metastases, connexin43 (Cx43) may increase sensitivity of prostate cancer (PCa) cells to bone microenvironment, as suggested by our in silico and human tissue samples analyses that revealed increased level of Cx43 expression with PCa progression and a Cx43 specific expression in bone secondary sites. The goal of the present study was to understand how Cx43 influences PCa cells sensitivity and aggressiveness to bone microenvironment. By means of Cx43-overexpressing PCa cell lines, we revealed a Cx43-dependent promigratory effect of osteoblastic conditioned media (ObCM). This effect on directional migration relied on the presence of Cx43 at the plasma membrane and not on gap junctional intercellular communication and hemichannel functions. ObCM stimulation induced Rac1 activation and Cx43 interaction with cortactin in protrusions of migrating PCa cells. Finally, by transfecting two different truncated forms of Cx43 in LNCaP cells, we determined that the carboxy terminal (CT) part of Cx43 is crucial for the responsiveness of PCa cells to ObCM. Our study demonstrates that Cx43 level and its membrane localization modulate the phenotypic response of PCa cells to osteoblastic microenvironment and that its CT domain plays a pivotal role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Boucher
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Annie-Claire Balandre
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Marjolaine Debant
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Justine Vix
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Center of Poitiers, 2 Rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Thomas Harnois
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Nicolas Bourmeyster
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Elodie Péraudeau
- University Hospital Center of Poitiers, 2 rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France; (E.P.); (J.C.)
- CNRS UMR 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), University of Poitiers, 4 Rue Michel Brunet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - Amandine Chépied
- Laboratory of Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences, LNEC-INSERM U1084, UBM-Laboratoire de Cancérologie Biologique, CHU de Poitiers, 2 Rue de la Milétrie, 86000 Poitiers, France;
| | - Jonathan Clarhaut
- University Hospital Center of Poitiers, 2 rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France; (E.P.); (J.C.)
- CNRS UMR 7285, Institut de Chimie des Milieux et des Matériaux de Poitiers (IC2MP), University of Poitiers, 4 Rue Michel Brunet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | - Françoise Debiais
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Center of Poitiers, 2 Rue de la Milétrie, 86021 Poitiers, France
| | - Arnaud Monvoisin
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
| | - Laurent Cronier
- CNRS ERL7003, Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), University of Poitiers, 1 rue Georges Bonnet, TSA 51106, CEDEX 09, 86073 Poitiers, France; (J.B.); (A.-C.B.); (M.D.); (J.V.); (T.H.); (N.B.); (F.D.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-5-49-45-37-52
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20
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McNair AJ, Wilson KS, Martin PE, Welsh DJ, Dempsie Y. Connexin 43 plays a role in proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial fibroblasts in response to hypoxia. Pulm Circ 2020; 10:2045894020937134. [PMID: 32670564 PMCID: PMC7338651 DOI: 10.1177/2045894020937134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease associated with vasoconstriction and remodelling of the pulmonary vasculature. Pulmonary artery fibroblasts (PAFs) play an important role in hypoxic-induced remodelling. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is involved in cellular communication and regulation of the pulmonary vasculature. Using both in vitro and in vivo models of PH, the aims of this study were to (i) investigate the role of Cx43 in hypoxic-induced proliferation and migration of rat PAFs (rPAFs) and rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (rPASMCs) and (ii) determine whether Cx43 expression is dysregulated in the rat sugen5416/hypoxic model of PH. The role of Cx43 in hypoxic-induced proliferation and migration was investigated using Gap27 (a pharmacological inhibitor of Cx43) or genetic knockdown of Cx43 using siRNA. Cx43 protein expression was increased by hypoxia in rPAFs but not rPASMCs. Hypoxic exposure, in the presence of serum, resulted in an increase in proliferation of rPAFs but not rPASMCs. Hypoxic exposure caused migration of rPAFs but not rPASMCs. Phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and ERK1/2 were increased by hypoxia in rPAFs. The effects of hypoxia on proliferation, migration and MAPK phosphorylation in rPAFs were attenuated in the presence of Gap27 or Cx43 siRNA. Cx43 protein expression was increased in sugen5416/hypoxic rat lung; this increased expression was not observed in sugen5416/hypoxic rats treated with the MAPK pathway inhibitor GS-444217. In conclusion, Cx43 is involved in the proliferation and migration of rPAFs in response to hypoxia via the MAPK signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J McNair
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Science, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kathryn S Wilson
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Science, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Patricia E Martin
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Science, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - David J Welsh
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Science, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Yvonne Dempsie
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Science, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
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21
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Abstract
Of the 21 members of the connexin family, 4 (Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45) are expressed in the endothelium and/or smooth muscle of intact blood vessels to a variable and dynamically regulated degree. Full-length connexins oligomerize and form channel structures connecting the cytosol of adjacent cells (gap junctions) or the cytosol with the extracellular space (hemichannels). The different connexins vary mainly with regard to length and sequence of their cytosolic COOH-terminal tails. These COOH-terminal parts, which in the case of Cx43 are also translated as independent short isoforms, are involved in various cellular signaling cascades and regulate cell functions. This review focuses on channel-dependent and -independent effects of connexins in vascular cells. Channels play an essential role in coordinating and synchronizing endothelial and smooth muscle activity and in their interplay, in the control of vasomotor actions of blood vessels including endothelial cell reactivity to agonist stimulation, nitric oxide-dependent dilation, and endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor-type responses. Further channel-dependent and -independent roles of connexins in blood vessel function range from basic processes of vascular remodeling and angiogenesis to vascular permeability and interactions with leukocytes with the vessel wall. Together, these connexin functions constitute an often underestimated basis for the enormous plasticity of vascular morphology and function enabling the required dynamic adaptation of the vascular system to varying tissue demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Pohl
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; Biomedical Centre, Cardiovascular Physiology, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany; and Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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22
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Pournia F, Dang-Lawson M, Choi K, Mo V, Lampe PD, Matsuuchi L. Identification of serine residues in the connexin43 carboxyl tail important for BCR-mediated spreading of B-lymphocytes. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs237925. [PMID: 31964709 PMCID: PMC10682646 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.237925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
B-lymphocytes recognize antigen via B-cell antigen receptors (BCRs). This binding induces signaling, leading to B-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation. Early events of BCR signaling include reorganization of actin and membrane spreading, which facilitates increased antigen gathering. We have previously shown that the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43; also known as GJA1) is phosphorylated upon BCR signaling, and its carboxyl tail (CT) is important for BCR-mediated spreading. Here, specific serine residues in the Cx43 CT that are phosphorylated following BCR stimulation were identified. A chimeric protein containing the extracellular and transmembrane domains of CD8 fused to the Cx43 CT was sufficient to support cell spreading. Cx43 CT truncations showed that the region between amino acids 246-307 is necessary for B-cell spreading. Site-specific serine-to-alanine mutations (S255A, S262A, S279A and S282A) resulted in differential effects on both BCR signaling and BCR-mediated spreading. These serine residues can serve as potential binding sites for actin remodeling mediators and/or BCR signaling effectors; therefore, our results may reflect unique roles for each of these serines in terms of linking the Cx43 CT to actin remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Pournia
- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Zoology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - May Dang-Lawson
- Department of Zoology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kate Choi
- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Zoology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Victor Mo
- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Zoology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Paul D Lampe
- Translational Research Program, Public Health Sciences and Human Biology Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA
| | - Linda Matsuuchi
- Cell and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Zoology, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia (UBC), 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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23
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Kameritsch P, Kiemer F, Mannell H, Beck H, Pohl U, Pogoda K. PKA negatively modulates the migration enhancing effect of Connexin 43. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1866:828-838. [PMID: 30769008 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Connexin 43 (Cx43) expression is associated with an increased cell migration and related changes of the actin cytoskeleton (enhanced filopodia formation). These effects are mediated by the C-terminal cytoplasmic part of Cx43 in a channel-independent manner. Since this part has been shown to interact with a variety of proteins and has multiple phosphorylation sites we analyzed here a potential role of the protein kinase A (PKA) for the Cx43 mediated increase in cell migration. Mutation of the PKA-phosphorylation site (substitution of three serines by alanine or glycine) resulted in a further increase in cell motility compared to wild-type Cx43, but with a loss of directionality. Likewise, cell motility was enhanced by PKA inhibition only in Cx43 expressing cells, while reduced in the presence of the PKA activator forskolin. In contrast, cell motility remained unaffected by stimulation with forskolin in cells expressing Cx43 with the mutated PKA phosphorylation site (Cx43-PKA) as well as in Cx-deficient cells. Moreover, PKA activation resulted in increased binding of PKA and VASP to Cx43 associated with an enhanced phosphorylation of VASP, an important regulatory protein of cell polarity and directed migration. Functionally, we could confirm these results in endothelial cells endogenously expressing Cx43. A Tat-Cx43 peptide containing the PKA phosphorylation site abolished the PKA dependent reduction in endothelial cell migration. Our results indicate that PKA dependent phosphorylation of Cx43 modulates cell motility and plays a pivotal role in regulating directed cell migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Kameritsch
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Munich University Hospital, Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Biedersteiner Str. 29, 80802 München, Germany.
| | - Felizitas Kiemer
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Munich University Hospital, Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Hanna Mannell
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Munich University Hospital, Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Heike Beck
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Munich University Hospital, Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Ulrich Pohl
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Munich University Hospital, Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Biedersteiner Str. 29, 80802 München, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Feodor-Lynen-Str. 17, 81377 München, Germany.
| | - Kristin Pogoda
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Munich University Hospital, Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Biedersteiner Str. 29, 80802 München, Germany.
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24
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Wu JI, Wang LH. Emerging roles of gap junction proteins connexins in cancer metastasis, chemoresistance and clinical application. J Biomed Sci 2019; 26:8. [PMID: 30642339 PMCID: PMC6332853 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0497-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexin, a four-pass transmembrane protein, contributes to assembly of gap junctions among neighboring cells and thus facilitates gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Traditionally, the roles of connexins were thought to mediate formation of hemichannels and GJIC assembly for transportation of ions and small molecules. Many studies have observed loss of GJIC, due to reduced expression or altered cytoplasmic localization of connexins, in primary tumor cells. Connexins are generally considered tumor-suppressive. However, recent studies of clinical samples suggested a different role of connexins in that expression levels and membrane localization of connexins, including Connexin 43 (Cx43, GJA1) and Connexin 26 (Cx26, GJB2), were found to be enhanced in metastatic lesions of cancer patients. Cx43- and Cx26-mediated GJIC was found to promote cancer cell migration and adhesion to the pulmonary endothelium. Regulatory circuits involved in the induction of connexins and their functional effects have also been reported in various types of cancer. Connexins expressed in stromal cells were correlated with metastasis and were implicated in regulating metastatic behaviors of cancer cells. Recent studies have revealed that connexins can contribute to cellular phenotypes via multiple ways, namely 1) GJIC, 2) C-terminal tail-mediated signaling, and 3) cell-cell adhesion during gap junction formation. Both expression levels and the subcellular localization could participate determining the functional roles of connexins in cancer. Compounds targeting connexins were thus tested as potential therapeutics intervening metastasis or chemoresistance. This review focuses on the recent findings in the correlation between the expression of connexins and patients’ prognosis, their roles in metastasis and chemoresistance, as well as the implications and concerns of using connexin-targeting drugs as anti-metastatic therapeutics. Overall, connexins may serve as biomarkers for cancer prognosis and as therapeutic targets for intervening metastasis and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-I Wu
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan.,Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Lu-Hai Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan. .,Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. .,Chinese Medical Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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25
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Pogoda K, Kameritsch P, Mannell H, Pohl U. Connexins in the control of vasomotor function. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2019; 225:e13108. [PMID: 29858558 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells, as well as smooth muscle cells, show heterogeneity with regard to their receptor expression and reactivity. For the vascular wall to act as a functional unit, the various cells' responses require integration. Such an integration is not only required for a homogeneous response of the vascular wall, but also for the vasomotor behaviour of consecutive segments of the microvascular arteriolar tree. As flow resistances of individual sections are connected in series, sections require synchronization and coordination to allow effective changes of conductivity and blood flow. A prerequisite for the local coordination of individual vascular cells and different sections of an arteriolar tree is intercellular communication. Connexins are involved in a dual manner in this coordination. (i) By forming gap junctions between cells, they allow an intercellular exchange of signalling molecules and electrical currents. In particular, the spread of electrical currents allows for coordination of cell responses over longer distances. (ii) Connexins are able to interact with other proteins to form signalling complexes. In this way, they can modulate and integrate individual cells' responses also in a channel-independent manner. This review outlines mechanisms allowing the vascular connexins to exert their coordinating function and to regulate the vasomotor reactions of blood vessels both locally, and in vascular networks. Wherever possible, we focus on the vasomotor behaviour of small vessels and arterioles which are the main vessels determining vascular resistance, blood pressure and local blood flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Pogoda
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine; University Hospital; LMU Munich; Munich Germany
- Biomedical Center; Cardiovascular Physiology; LMU Munich; Munich Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research); Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance; Munich Germany
| | - P. Kameritsch
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine; University Hospital; LMU Munich; Munich Germany
- Biomedical Center; Cardiovascular Physiology; LMU Munich; Munich Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research); Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance; Munich Germany
| | - H. Mannell
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine; University Hospital; LMU Munich; Munich Germany
- Biomedical Center; Cardiovascular Physiology; LMU Munich; Munich Germany
| | - U. Pohl
- Walter-Brendel-Centre of Experimental Medicine; University Hospital; LMU Munich; Munich Germany
- Biomedical Center; Cardiovascular Physiology; LMU Munich; Munich Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research); Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance; Munich Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy); Munich Germany
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Zhao F, Li J, Wang R, Xu H, Ma K, Kong X, Sun Z, Niu X, Jiang J, Liu B, Li B, Duan F, Chen X. Exendin-4 promotes actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and protects cells from Nogo-A-Δ20 mediated spreading inhibition and growth cone collapse by down-regulating RhoA expression and activation via the PI3K pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 109:135-143. [PMID: 30396070 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Exendin-4 is a protein of the GLP-1 family currently used to treat diabetes. Recently, a greater number of biological properties have been associated with the GLP-1 family. Our data shows that exendin-4 treatment significantly increases the cytoskeleton rearrangement, which leads to an increasingly differentiated phenotype and reduced cell migration. We also found that exendin-4 could prevent SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells from Nogo-A-Δ20 mediated spreading inhibition and neurite collapse. Western blot analysis indicated that exendin-4 treatment both reduced the expression and activation of RhoA via the PI3K signaling pathway. These data suggest that exendin-4 may protect nerve regeneration by preventing the inhibition of Nogo-A via down-regulating RhoA expression and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhao
- Affiliated Hospital of the Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force and Jinzhou Medical University Cooperative Training Center, Tianjin, 300162, China; Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, 121001, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Jianwei Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Renjie Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Huiyou Xu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Ke Ma
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Xianbin Kong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China; Graduate school of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Zhonglei Sun
- Affiliated Hospital of the Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force and Jinzhou Medical University Cooperative Training Center, Tianjin, 300162, China; Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, 121001, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Xuegang Niu
- Affiliated Hospital of the Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force and Jinzhou Medical University Cooperative Training Center, Tianjin, 300162, China; Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province, 121001, China; Tianjin Fourth Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300140, China
| | - Jipeng Jiang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Baohu Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China; Wang Jing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100102, China
| | - Bo Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China
| | - Feng Duan
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Xuyi Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Neurotrauma Repair, Institute of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroscience, Center for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of The Logistics University of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300162, China.
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Conflicting Roles of Connexin43 in Tumor Invasion and Growth in the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041159. [PMID: 29641478 PMCID: PMC5979343 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment is known to have increased levels of cytokines and metabolites, such as glutamate, due to their release from the surrounding cells. A normal cell around the tumor that responds to the inflammatory environment is likely to be subsequently altered. We discuss how these abnormalities will support tumor survival via the actions of gap junctions (GJs) and hemichannels (HCs) which are composed of hexamer of connexin43 (Cx43) protein. In particular, we discuss how GJ intercellular communication (GJIC) in glioma cells, the primary brain tumor, is a regulatory factor and its attenuation leads to tumor invasion. In contrast, the astrocytes, which are normal cells around the glioma, are “hijacked” by tumor cells, either by receiving the transmission of malignant substances from the cancer cells via GJIC, or perhaps via astrocytic HC activity through the paracrine signaling which enable the delivery of these substances to the distal astrocytes. This astrocytic signaling would promote tumor expansion in the brain. In addition, brain metastasis from peripheral tissues has also been known to be facilitated by GJs formed between cerebral vascular endothelial cells and cancer cells. Astrocytes and microglia are generally thought to eliminate cancer cells at the blood–brain barrier. In contrast, some reports suggest they facilitate tumor progression as tumor cells take advantage of the normal functions of astrocytes that support the survival of the neurons by exchanging nutrients and metabolites. In summary, GJIC is essential for the normal physiological function of growth and allowing the diffusion of physiological substances. Therefore, whether GJIC is cancer promoting or suppressing may be dependent on what permeates through GJs, when it is active, and to which cells. The nature of GJs, which has been ambiguous in brain tumor progression, needs to be revisited and understood together with new findings on Cx proteins and HC activities.
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Ruez R, Dubrot J, Zoso A, Bacchetta M, Molica F, Hugues S, Kwak BR, Chanson M. Dendritic Cell Migration Toward CCL21 Gradient Requires Functional Cx43. Front Physiol 2018; 9:288. [PMID: 29636699 PMCID: PMC5880903 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) travel through lymphatic vessels to transport antigens and present them to T cells in lymph nodes. DCs move directionally toward lymphatics by virtue of their CCR7 and a CCL21 chemotactic gradient. We evaluated in vivo and in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) whether the gap junction protein Cx43 contributes to CCL21/CCR7-dependent DC migration in wild-type (WT) mice, heterozygous (Cx43+/−) mice and mice expressing a truncated form of Cx43 lacking its regulatory C-terminus (Cx43K258/−). In a model of flank skin inflammation, we found that the recruitment of myeloid DCs (mDCs) to skin draining lymph nodes was reduced in Cx43K258/− mice as compared to WT and Cx43+/− mice. In addition, the migration of Cx43K258/− BMDCs toward CCL21 was abolished in an in vitro chemotactic assay while it was only reduced in Cx43+/− cells. Both mutant genotypes showed defects in the directionality of BMDC migration as compared to WT BMDCs. No difference was found between the three populations of BMDCs in terms of expression of surface markers (CD11c, CD86, CD80, CD40, MHC-II, and CCR7) after differentiation and TLR activation. Finally, examination of the CCR7-induced signaling pathways in BMDCs revealed normal receptor-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. These results demonstrate that full expression of an intact Cx43 is critical to the directionality and rate of DC migration, which may be amenable to regulation of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ruez
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Physiology, and Metabolism, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Juan Dubrot
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alice Zoso
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Physiology, and Metabolism, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bacchetta
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Physiology, and Metabolism, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Filippo Molica
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Hugues
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Brenda R Kwak
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marc Chanson
- Department of Pediatrics, Cell Physiology, and Metabolism, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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29
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Gago-Fuentes R, Bechberger JF, Varela-Eirin M, Varela-Vazquez A, Acea B, Fonseca E, Naus CC, Mayan MD. The C-terminal domain of connexin43 modulates cartilage structure via chondrocyte phenotypic changes. Oncotarget 2018; 7:73055-73067. [PMID: 27682878 PMCID: PMC5341963 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chondrocytes in cartilage and bone cells population express connexin43 (Cx43) and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) is essential to synchronize cells for coordinated electrical, mechanical, metabolic and chemical communication in both tissues. Reduced Cx43 connectivity decreases chondrocyte differentiation and defective Cx43 causes skeletal defects. The carboxy terminal domain (CTD) of Cx43 is located in the cytoplasmic side and is key for protein functions. Here we demonstrated that chondrocytes from the CTD-deficient mice, K258stop/Cx43KO and K258stop/K258stop, have reduced GJIC, increased rates of proliferation and reduced expression of collagen type II and proteoglycans. We observed that CTD-truncated mice were significantly smaller in size. Together these results demonstrated that the deletion of the CTD negatively impacts cartilage structure and normal chondrocyte phenotype. These findings suggest that the proteolytic cleavage of the CTD under pathological conditions, such as under the activation of metalloproteinases during tissue injury or inflammation, may account for the deleterious effects of Cx43 in cartilage and bone disorders such as osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Gago-Fuentes
- CellCOM-SB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), CH-Universitario A Coruña (XXIAC), University of A Coruña, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - John F Bechberger
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3
| | - Marta Varela-Eirin
- CellCOM-SB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), CH-Universitario A Coruña (XXIAC), University of A Coruña, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Adrian Varela-Vazquez
- CellCOM-SB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), CH-Universitario A Coruña (XXIAC), University of A Coruña, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Benigno Acea
- CellCOM-SB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), CH-Universitario A Coruña (XXIAC), University of A Coruña, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Eduardo Fonseca
- CellCOM-SB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), CH-Universitario A Coruña (XXIAC), University of A Coruña, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84 15006 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Christian C Naus
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3
| | - Maria D Mayan
- CellCOM-SB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), CH-Universitario A Coruña (XXIAC), University of A Coruña, Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), Xubias de Arriba, 84 15006 A Coruña, Spain
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30
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Linear array of multi-substrate tracts for simultaneous assessment of cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Biotechniques 2017; 63:267-274. [PMID: 29235973 DOI: 10.2144/000114619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration, which is central to a wide variety of life processes, involves integration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) with the internal cytoskeleton and motor proteins via receptors spanning the plasma membrane. Cell migration can be induced by a variety of signals, including gradients of external soluble molecules, differences in ECM composition, or electrical gradients. Current in vitro methods to study cell migration only test one substrate at a time. Here, we present a method for assessing cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation in up to 20 different test conditions simultaneously, using only minute amounts of target substrate. Our system, which we call the linear array of multi-substrate cell migration assay (LAMA), has two configurations for direct comparison of one or two cell types in response to an array of ECM constituents under the same culture conditions. This culture model utilizes only nanogram amounts of test substrates and a minimal number of cells, which maximizes the use of limited and expensive test reagents. Moreover, LAMA can also be used for high-throughput screening of potential pharmaceuticals that target ECM-dependent cell behavior and differentiation.
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31
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Yeh ES, Williams CJ, Williams CB, Bonilla IV, Klauber-DeMore N, Phillips SL. Dysregulated connexin 43 in HER2-positive drug resistant breast cancer cells enhances proliferation and migration. Oncotarget 2017; 8:109358-109369. [PMID: 29312613 PMCID: PMC5752526 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a gap junction protein whose function in the development of breast cancer and in breast cancer progression remains unclear. Evidence suggests that Cx43 (GJA1) mRNA and protein expression is altered in breast tumors. However, reports indicate both increased and decreased Cx43 levels in human breast cancer samples. Studies also suggest that loss of Cx43 regulated gap junction intercellular communication is a common feature of breast malignancies that potentially correlates with histological stage. Further evidence suggests that Cx43 (GJA1) mRNA expression is negatively correlated with HER2 positivity but a relationship between Cx43 and HER2 in breast cancer is not well defined. Therefore, in this study, we sought to evaluate the relationship between Cx43 activity, HER2, and drug resistance. Using HER2+ breast cancer cell lines that are sensitive or resistant to HER2 inhibitor, we evaluated Cx43 gap junction function. We found that Cx43 gap junction activity is completely lost in drug resistant HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer cells, whereas Cx43 gap junction activity can be restored by Cx43 overexpression in drug sensitive HER2+ cells. Moreover, the dysregulation of Cx43 resulted in increased tumorigenic and migratory capacity of the HER2+ drug resistant breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Christina J Williams
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Carly Bess Williams
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Ingrid V Bonilla
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Nancy Klauber-DeMore
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Stephanie L Phillips
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Nyffeler J, Chovancova P, Dolde X, Holzer AK, Purvanov V, Kindinger I, Kerins A, Higton D, Silvester S, van Vugt-Lussenburg BMA, Glaab E, van der Burg B, Maclennan R, Legler DF, Leist M. A structure-activity relationship linking non-planar PCBs to functional deficits of neural crest cells: new roles for connexins. Arch Toxicol 2017; 92:1225-1247. [PMID: 29164306 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-2125-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Migration of neural crest cells (NCC) is a fundamental developmental process, and test methods to identify interfering toxicants have been developed. By examining cell function endpoints, as in the 'migration-inhibition of NCC (cMINC)' assay, a large number of toxicity mechanisms and protein targets can be covered. However, the key events that lead to the adverse effects of a given chemical or group of related compounds are hard to elucidate. To address this issue, we explored here, whether the establishment of two overlapping structure-activity relationships (SAR)-linking chemical structure on the one hand to a phenotypic test outcome, and on the other hand to a mechanistic endpoint-was useful as strategy to identify relevant toxicity mechanisms. For this purpose, we chose polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) as a large group of related, but still toxicologically and physicochemically diverse structures. We obtained concentration-dependent data for 26 PCBs in the cMINC assay. Moreover, the test chemicals were evaluated by a new high-content imaging method for their effect on cellular re-distribution of connexin43 and for their capacity to inhibit gap junctions. Non-planar PCBs inhibited NCC migration. The potency (1-10 µM) correlated with the number of ortho-chlorine substituents; non-ortho-chloro (planar) PCBs were non-toxic. The toxicity to NCC partially correlated with gap junction inhibition, while it fully correlated (p < 0.0004) with connexin43 cellular re-distribution. Thus, our double-SAR strategy revealed a mechanistic step tightly linked to NCC toxicity of PCBs. Connexin43 patterns in NCC may be explored as a new endpoint relevant to developmental toxicity screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Nyffeler
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.,Research Training Group RTG1331, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Petra Chovancova
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Xenia Dolde
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Anna-Katharina Holzer
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Vladimir Purvanov
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau at the University of Konstanz, 8280, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Ilona Kindinger
- Biotechnology Institute Thurgau at the University of Konstanz, 8280, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Anna Kerins
- Cyprotex Discovery, No 24 Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - David Higton
- Cyprotex Discovery, No 24 Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Steve Silvester
- Cyprotex Discovery, No 24 Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | | | - Enrico Glaab
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, 4362, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Bart van der Burg
- BioDetection Systems bv, Science Park 406, 1098XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Maclennan
- Cyprotex Discovery, No 24 Mereside, Alderley Park, Cheshire, SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Daniel F Legler
- Research Training Group RTG1331, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), 78457, Konstanz, Germany.,Biotechnology Institute Thurgau at the University of Konstanz, 8280, Kreuzlingen, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Leist
- In vitro Toxicology and Biomedicine, Department Inaugurated by the Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation, University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstr. 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany. .,Research Training Group RTG1331, 78457, Konstanz, Germany. .,Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB), 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
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Li L, Liu H, Xu C, Deng M, Song M, Yu X, Xu S, Zhao X. VEGF promotes endothelial progenitor cell differentiation and vascular repair through connexin 43. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:237. [PMID: 29065929 PMCID: PMC5655878 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0684-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) differentiation is considered crucial for vascular repair. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces EPC differentiation, but the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon remains unclear. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is reported to be involved in the regulation of stem cell differentiation. Therefore, we sought to determine whether Cx43 is involved in VEGF-induced EPC differentiation and vascular repair. Methods Rat spleen-derived EPCs were cultured and treated with various concentrations of VEGF (0, 10, or 50 ng/mL), and the relationship between EPC differentiation and Cx43 expression was evaluated. Thereafter, fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching was performed to assess the relationship between adjacent EPC differentiation and Cx43-induced gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). After carotid artery injury, EPCs pretreated with VEGF were injected into the tail veins, and the effects of Cx43 on vascular repair were evaluated. Results EPCs cultured with VEGF exhibited accelerated differentiation and increased expression of Cx43. However, inhibition of Cx43 expression using short interfering RNA (siRNA) attenuated EPC GJIC and consequent EPC differentiation. VEGF-pretreated EPC transplantation promoted EPC homing and reendothelialization, and inhibited neointimal formation. These effects were attenuated by siRNA inhibition of Cx43. Conclusions Our results from in vivo and in vitro experiments indicated that VEGF promotes EPC differentiation and vascular repair through Cx43. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-017-0684-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lufeng Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Huanyun Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.,Cardiovascular Department, First People's Hospital of Chong Qing Liang Jiang New Zone, Chongqing, 401120, China
| | - Chunxin Xu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Mengyang Deng
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Mingbao Song
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Xuejun Yu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Shangcheng Xu
- Department of Occupational Health, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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34
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Zhang Y, Wang Z, Zhang L, Zhou D, Sun Y, Wang P, Ju S, Chen P, Li J, Fu J. Impact of connexin 43 coupling on survival and migration of multiple myeloma cells. Arch Med Sci 2017; 13:1335-1346. [PMID: 29181063 PMCID: PMC5701698 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2017.71065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gap junctions (GJs) represent the best known intercellular communication (IC) system and are membrane-spanning channels that facilitate intercellular communication by allowing small signaling molecules to pass from cell to cell. In this study, we constructed an amino terminus of human Cx43 (Cx43NT-GFP), verified the overexpression of Cx43-NT in HUVEC cells and explored the impact of gap junctions (GJs) on multiple myeloma (MM). MATERIAL AND METHODS The levels of phosphorylated Cx43(s368) and the change of MAPK pathway associated molecules (ERK1/2, JNK, p38, NFκB) were also investigated in our cell models. Cx43 mRNA and proteins were detected in both MM cell lines and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Dye transfer assays demonstrated that gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) occurring via Cx43 situated between MM and MSCs or MM and HUVECCx43NT is functional. RESULTS Our results present evidence for a channel-dependent modulator action of connexin 43 on the migratory activity of MM cells toward MSCs or HUVECCx43-N was higher than those of spontaneous migration (p < 0.05) and protection them from apoptosis in the presence of dexamethasone via cytokines secretion. In the meantime, the migration of MM cells involves an augmented response of p38 and JNK signaling pathway of carboxyl tail of the protein. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that GJIC between MM and MSCs is one of the essential factors in tumor cell proliferation and drug sensitivity, and is implicated in MM pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangmin Zhang
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ziyan Wang
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Liying Zhang
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Dongming Zhou
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Panjun Wang
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Songguang Ju
- Department of Immunology, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinxiang Fu
- Department of Hematology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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35
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Phillips SL, Williams CB, Zambrano JN, Williams CJ, Yeh ES. Connexin 43 in the development and progression of breast cancer: What's the connection? (Review). Int J Oncol 2017; 51:1005-1013. [PMID: 28902343 PMCID: PMC5592860 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.4114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin 43 is a prominent gap junction protein within normal human breast tissue. Thus far, there have been a number of research studies performed to determine the function of connexin 43 in breast tumor formation and progression. Within primary tumors, research suggests that the level of connexin 43 expression in breast tumors is altered when compared to normal human breast tissue. While some reports indicate that connexin 43 levels decrease, other evidence suggests that connexin 43 levels are increased and protein localization shifts from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm. In either case, the prevailing theory is that breast tumor cells have reduced gap junction intercellular communication within primary tumors. The current consensus appears to be that the loss of connexin 43 gap junction intercellular communication is an early event in malignancy, with the possibility of gap junction restoration in the event of metastasis. However, additional evidence is needed to support the latter claim. The purpose of this report is to review the connexin 43 literature that describes studies using human tissue samples, in order to evaluate the function of connexin 43 protein in normal human breast tissue as well as the role of connexin 43 in human breast tumor formation and metastatic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Phillips
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Carly Bess Williams
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Joelle N Zambrano
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Christina J Williams
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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36
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Jaraíz-Rodríguez M, Tabernero MD, González-Tablas M, Otero A, Orfao A, Medina JM, Tabernero A. A Short Region of Connexin43 Reduces Human Glioma Stem Cell Migration, Invasion, and Survival through Src, PTEN, and FAK. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:451-463. [PMID: 28712848 PMCID: PMC5549880 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin43 (CX43), a protein that forms gap junction channels and hemichannels in astrocytes, is downregulated in high-grade gliomas. Its relevance for glioma therapy has been thoroughly explored; however, its positive effects on proliferation are counterbalanced by its effects on migration and invasion. Here, we show that a cell-penetrating peptide based on CX43 (TAT-Cx43266-283) inhibited c-Src and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and upregulated phosphatase and tensin homolog in glioma stem cells (GSCs) derived from patients. Consequently, TAT-Cx43266-283 reduced GSC motility, as analyzed by time-lapse microscopy, and strongly reduced their invasive ability. Interestingly, we investigated the effects of TAT-Cx43266-283 on freshly removed surgical specimens as undissociated glioblastoma blocks, which revealed a dramatic reduction in the growth, migration, and survival of these cells. In conclusion, a region of CX43 (amino acids 266–283) exerts an important anti-tumor effect in patient-derived glioblastoma models that includes impairment of GSC migration and invasion. TAT-Cx43266-283 exerts anti-tumor effects in patient-derived glioblastoma models TAT-Cx43266-283 targets Src, PTEN, and FAK TAT-Cx43266-283 inhibits glioma stem cell migration and invasion
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Jaraíz-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Salamanca, C/ Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ma Dolores Tabernero
- Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León (IECSCYL), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Centre for Cancer Research (CIC-IBMCC; CSIC/USAL; IBSAL), Departamento de Medicina Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - María González-Tablas
- Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León (IECSCYL), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), 37007 Salamanca, Spain; Centre for Cancer Research (CIC-IBMCC; CSIC/USAL; IBSAL), Departamento de Medicina Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alvaro Otero
- Neurosurgery Service, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca and IBSAL, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Alberto Orfao
- Centre for Cancer Research (CIC-IBMCC; CSIC/USAL; IBSAL), Departamento de Medicina Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jose M Medina
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Salamanca, C/ Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Arantxa Tabernero
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Salamanca, C/ Pintor Fernando Gallego 1, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
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37
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Boucher J, Monvoisin A, Vix J, Mesnil M, Thuringer D, Debiais F, Cronier L. Connexins, important players in the dissemination of prostate cancer cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:202-215. [PMID: 28693897 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 50years, increasing experimental evidences have established that connexins (Cxs) and gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) ensure an important role in both the onset and development of cancerous processes. In the present review, we focus on the impact of Cxs and GJIC during the development of prostate cancer (PCa), from the primary growth mainly localized in acinar glands and ducts to the distant metastasis mainly concentrated in bone. As observed in several other types of solid tumours, Cxs and especially Cx43 exhibit an ambivalent role with a tumour suppressor effect in the early stages and, conversely, a rather pro-tumoural profile for most of invasion and dissemination steps to secondary sites. We report here the current knowledge on the function of Cxs during PCa cells migration, cytoskeletal dynamics, proteinases activities and the cross talk with the surrounding stromal cells in the microenvironment of the tumour and the bones. In addition, we discuss the role of Cxs in the bone tropism even if the prostate model is rarely used to study the complete sequence of cancer dissemination compared to breast cancer or melanoma. Even if not yet fully understood, these recent findings on Cxs provide new insights into their molecular mechanisms associated with progression and bone targeted behaviour of PCa. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Boucher
- Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), ERL7368 - CNRS, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Arnaud Monvoisin
- Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), ERL7368 - CNRS, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Justine Vix
- Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), ERL7368 - CNRS, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France; Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. la Milétrie, Poitiers, France
| | - Marc Mesnil
- Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), ERL7368 - CNRS, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | | | - Françoise Debiais
- Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), ERL7368 - CNRS, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France; Department of Rheumatology, C.H.U. la Milétrie, Poitiers, France
| | - Laurent Cronier
- Laboratory Signalisation et Transports Ioniques Membranaires (STIM), ERL7368 - CNRS, University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
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38
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Kavvadas P, Abed A, Poulain C, Authier F, Labéjof LP, Calmont A, Afieri C, Prakoura N, Dussaule JC, Chatziantoniou C, Chadjichristos CE. Decreased Expression of Connexin 43 Blunts the Progression of Experimental GN. J Am Soc Nephrol 2017; 28:2915-2930. [PMID: 28667079 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2016111211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
GN refers to a variety of renal pathologies that often progress to ESRD, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this progression remain incompletely characterized. Here, we determined whether dysregulated expression of the gap junction protein connexin 43, which has been observed in the progression of renal disease, contributes to GN progression. Immunostaining revealed de novo expression of connexin 43 in damaged glomeruli in patients with glomerular diseases as well as in mice after induction of experimental GN. Notably, 2 weeks after the induction of GN with nephrotoxic serum, mice with a heterozygous deletion of the connexin 43 gene (connexin 43+/-) had proteinuria, BUN, and serum creatinine levels significantly lower than those of wild-type animals. Additionally, the connexin 43+/- mice showed less crescent formation, tubular dilation, monocyte infiltration, and interstitial renal fibrosis. Treatment of cultured podocytes with connexin 43-specific blocking peptides attenuated TGF-β-induced cytoskeletal and morphologic changes and apoptosis as did treatment with the purinergic blocker suramin. Finally, therapeutic treatment of GN mice with connexin 43-specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotide improved functional and structural renal parameters. These findings suggest that crosstalk between connexin 43 and purinergic signaling contributes to podocyte damage in GN. Given that this protein is highly induced in individuals with glomerular diseases, connexin 43 may be a novel target for therapeutic treatment of GN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Kavvadas
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Ahmed Abed
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universites, University Pierre et Marie Curie University Paris 6, Paris, France
| | - Coralie Poulain
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,University René Descartes, Paris, France.,University Denis Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Florence Authier
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Lise-Paule Labéjof
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Amelie Calmont
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Carlo Afieri
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Unit of Nephrology Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Fondazione Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, Milan, Italy; and
| | - Niki Prakoura
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Claude Dussaule
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universites, University Pierre et Marie Curie University Paris 6, Paris, France.,Department of Physiology, Saint Antoine Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Christos Chatziantoniou
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universites, University Pierre et Marie Curie University Paris 6, Paris, France
| | - Christos E Chadjichristos
- National Institute for Health and Medical Research Unité Mixte de Recherche-S1155, Batiment Recherche, Tenon Hospital, Paris, France; .,Sorbonne Universites, University Pierre et Marie Curie University Paris 6, Paris, France
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39
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Mesnil M, Aasen T, Boucher J, Chépied A, Cronier L, Defamie N, Kameritsch P, Laird DW, Lampe PD, Lathia JD, Leithe E, Mehta PP, Monvoisin A, Pogoda K, Sin WC, Tabernero A, Yamasaki H, Yeh ES, Dagli MLZ, Naus CC. An update on minding the gap in cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:237-243. [PMID: 28655619 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
This article is a report of the "International Colloquium on Gap junctions: 50Years of Impact on Cancer" that was held 8-9 September 2016, at the Amphitheater "Pôle Biologie Santé" of the University of Poitiers (Poitiers, France). The colloquium was organized by M Mesnil (Université de Poitiers, Poitiers, France) and C Naus (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the seminal work published in 1966 by Loewenstein and Kanno [Intercellular communication and the control of tissue growth: lack of communication between cancer cells, Nature, 116 (1966) 1248-1249] which initiated studies on the involvement of gap junctions in carcinogenesis. During the colloquium, 15 participants presented reviews or research updates in the field which are summarized below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Mesnil
- STIM Laboratory ERL 7368 CNRS - Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers 86073, cedex 09, France.
| | - Trond Aasen
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Autonomous University of Barcelona, CIBERONC, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jonathan Boucher
- STIM Laboratory ERL 7368 CNRS - Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers 86073, cedex 09, France
| | - Amandine Chépied
- STIM Laboratory ERL 7368 CNRS - Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers 86073, cedex 09, France
| | - Laurent Cronier
- STIM Laboratory ERL 7368 CNRS - Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers 86073, cedex 09, France
| | - Norah Defamie
- STIM Laboratory ERL 7368 CNRS - Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers 86073, cedex 09, France
| | - Petra Kameritsch
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Munich University Hospital, München, Germany
| | - Dale W Laird
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, Dental Science Building, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Paul D Lampe
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Justin D Lathia
- Cleveland Clinic, Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Edward Leithe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, and Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Parmender P Mehta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska, Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Arnaud Monvoisin
- STIM Laboratory ERL 7368 CNRS - Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers 86073, cedex 09, France
| | - Kristin Pogoda
- Walter Brendel Centre of Experimental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Munich University Hospital, München, Germany
| | - Wun-Chey Sin
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Arantxa Tabernero
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain
| | | | - Elizabeth S Yeh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Maria Lucia Zaidan Dagli
- Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Oncology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP CEP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Christian C Naus
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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40
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Abstract
Neuronal survival, electrical signaling and synaptic activity require a well-balanced micro-environment in the central nervous system. This is achieved by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), an endothelial barrier situated in the brain capillaries, that controls near-to-all passage in and out of the brain. The endothelial barrier function is highly dependent on signaling interactions with surrounding glial, neuronal and vascular cells, together forming the neuro-glio-vascular unit. Within this functional unit, connexin (Cx) channels are of utmost importance for intercellular communication between the different cellular compartments. Connexins are best known as the building blocks of gap junction (GJ) channels that enable direct cell-cell transfer of metabolic, biochemical and electric signals. In addition, beyond their role in direct intercellular communication, Cxs also form unapposed, non-junctional hemichannels in the plasma membrane that allow the passage of several paracrine messengers, complementing direct GJ communication. Within the NGVU, Cxs are expressed in vascular endothelial cells, including those that form the BBB, and are eminent in astrocytes, especially at their endfoot processes that wrap around cerebral vessels. However, despite the density of Cx channels at this so-called gliovascular interface, it remains unclear as to how Cx-based signaling between astrocytes and BBB endothelial cells may converge control over BBB permeability in health and disease. In this review we describe available evidence that supports a role for astroglial as well as endothelial Cxs in the regulation of BBB permeability during development as well as in disease states.
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41
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Leithe E, Mesnil M, Aasen T. The connexin 43 C-terminus: A tail of many tales. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:48-64. [PMID: 28526583 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Connexins are chordate gap junction channel proteins that, by enabling direct communication between the cytosols of adjacent cells, create a unique cell signalling network. Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) has important roles in controlling cell growth and differentiation and in tissue development and homeostasis. Moreover, several non-canonical connexin functions unrelated to GJIC have been discovered. Of the 21 members of the human connexin family, connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most widely expressed and studied. The long cytosolic C-terminus (CT) of Cx43 is subject to extensive post-translational modifications that modulate its intracellular trafficking and gap junction channel gating. Moreover, the Cx43 CT contains multiple domains involved in protein interactions that permit crosstalk between Cx43 and cytoskeletal and regulatory proteins. These domains endow Cx43 with the capacity to affect cell growth and differentiation independently of GJIC. Here, we review the current understanding of the regulation and unique functions of the Cx43 CT, both as an essential component of full-length Cx43 and as an independent signalling hub. We highlight the complex regulatory and signalling networks controlled by the Cx43 CT, including the extensive protein interactome that underlies both gap junction channel-dependent and -independent functions. We discuss these data in relation to the recent discovery of the direct translation of specific truncated forms of Cx43. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Leithe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway; Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, NO-0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Marc Mesnil
- STIM Laboratory ERL 7368 CNRS - Faculté des Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers 86073, France
| | - Trond Aasen
- Translational Molecular Pathology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), Autonomous University of Barcelona, CIBERONC, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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42
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Zhao Y, Lai Y, Ge H, Guo Y, Feng X, Song J, Wang Q, Fan L, Peng Y, Cao M, Harris AL, Wang X, Tao L. Non-junctional Cx32 mediates anti-apoptotic and pro-tumor effects via epidermal growth factor receptor in human cervical cancer cells. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2773. [PMID: 28492539 PMCID: PMC5520707 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The role of connexin proteins (Cx), which form gap junctions (GJ), in progression and chemotherapeutic sensitivity of cervical cancer (CaCx), is unclear. Using cervix specimens (313 CaCx, 78 controls) and CaCx cell lines, we explored relationships among Cx expression, prognostic variables and mechanisms that may link them. In CaCx specimens, Cx32 was upregulated and cytoplasmically localized, and three other Cx downregulated, relative to controls. Cx32 expression correlated with advanced FIGO staging, differentiation and increased tumor size. In CaCx cell lines, Cx32 expression suppressed streptonigrin/cisplatin-induced apoptosis in the absence of functional GJ. In CaCx specimens and cell lines, expression of Cx32 upregulated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. Inhibition of EGFR signaling abrogated the anti-apoptotic effect of Cx32 expression. In conclusion, upregulated Cx32 in CaCx cells produces anti-apoptotic, pro-tumorigenic effects in vivo and vitro. Abnormal Cx32 expression/localization in CaCx appears to be both a mechanism and biomarker of chemotherapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan
School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
510080, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen
Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
510120, China
| | - Yongchang Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan
School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
510080, China
| | - Hui Ge
- Tumor Research Institute, Xinjiang
Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi,
Xinjiang
830000, China
| | - Yunquan Guo
- Department of Pathology, Xinjiang Medical
University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi,
Xinjiang
830000, China
| | - Xue Feng
- Tumor Research Institute, Xinjiang
Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi,
Xinjiang
830000, China
| | - Jia Song
- Tumor Research Institute, Xinjiang
Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi,
Xinjiang
830000, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan
School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
510080, China
| | - Lixia Fan
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan
School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
510080, China
| | - Yuexia Peng
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan
School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
510080, China
| | - Minghui Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sun Yat-Sen
Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
510120, China
| | - Andrew L Harris
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology
and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School - Rutgers University,
Newark, NJ
07103, USA
| | - Xiyan Wang
- Tumor Research Institute, Xinjiang
Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi,
Xinjiang
830000, China
| | - Liang Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan
School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou
510080, China
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43
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Lin ZJ, Ming J, Yang L, Du JZ, Wang N, Luo HJ. Mechanism of Regulatory Effect of MicroRNA-206 on Connexin 43 in Distant Metastasis of Breast Cancer. Chin Med J (Engl) 2017; 129:424-34. [PMID: 26879016 PMCID: PMC4800843 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.176071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: MicroRNA-206 (miR-206) and connexin 43 (Cx43) are related with the distant metastasis of breast cancer. It remains unclear whether the regulatory effect of miR-206 on Cx43 is involved in metastasis of breast cancer. Methods: Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, the expressions of miR-206 and Cx43 were determined in breast cancer tissues, hepatic and pulmonary metastasis (PM), and cell lines (MCF-10A, MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231). MCF-7/MDA-M-231 cells were transfected with lentivirus-shRNA vectors to enhance/inhibit miR-206, and then Cx43 expression was observed. Cell counting kit-8 assay and Transwell method were used to detect their changes in proliferation, migration, and invasion activity. The mutant plasmids of Cx43-3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) at position 478–484 and position 1609–1615 were constructed. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to observe the effects of miR-206 on luciferase expression of different mutant plasmids and to confirm the potential binding sites of Cx43. Results: Cx43 protein expression in hepatic and PM was significantly higher than that in the primary tumor, while no significant difference was showed in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. MiR-206 mRNA expression in hepatic and PM was significantly lower than that in the primary tumor. Cx43 mRNA and protein levels, as well as cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities, were all significantly improved in MDA-MB-231 cells after reducing miR-206 expression but decreased in MCF-7 cells after elevating miR-206 expression, which demonstrated a significantly negative correlation between miR-206 and Cx43 expression (P = 0.03). MiR-206 can drastically decrease Cx43 expression of MCF-7 cells but exerts no effects on Cx43 expression in 293 cells transfected with the Cx43 coding region but the lack of Cx43-3’UTR, suggesting that Cx43-3’UTR may be the key in Cx43 regulated by miR-206. Luciferase expression showed that the inhibition efficiency was reduced by 46.80% in position 478–484 mutant, 16.72% in position 1609–1615 mutant; the inhibition was totally disappeared in double mutant (P = 0.02). Conclusions: MiR-206 can regulate the expression of Cx43, the cytobiological activity, and the metastasis of breast cancer through binding to the two binding sites in Cx43-3’UTR: position 478–484 and position 1609–1615.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jia Ming
- Department of Breast, Thyroid and Pancreas Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
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Bózsity N, Minorics R, Szabó J, Mernyák E, Schneider G, Wölfling J, Wang HC, Wu CC, Ocsovszki I, Zupkó I. Mechanism of antiproliferative action of a new d-secoestrone-triazole derivative in cervical cancer cells and its effect on cancer cell motility. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 165:247-257. [PMID: 27363663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2016.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed tumor and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide. Cervical cancer is predominantly related with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, with the most oncogenic types being HPV-18 and -16. Our previous studies demonstrated that some d-secoestrone derivatives exert pronounced antiproliferative activity. The aim of the current investigation was to characterize the mechanism of action of d-secoestrone-triazole (D-SET) on three cervical cancer cell lines with different pathological backgrounds. The growth-inhibitory effects of D-SET were determined by a standard MTT assay. We have found that D-SET exerts a pronounced growth-inhibitory effect on HPV 18-positive HeLa and HPV-negative C-33 A cells, but it has no substantial inhibitory activity on HPV 16-positive SiHa or on intact fibroblast MRC-5 cell lines. After 24h incubation, cells showed the morphological and biochemical signs of apoptosis determined by fluorescent double staining, flow cytometry and caspase-3 activity assay. Besides the elevation of the ratio of cells in the subG1 phase, flow cytometric analysis revealed a cell cycle arrest at G2/M in both HeLa and C-33 A cell lines. To distinguish the G2/M cell population immunocytochemical flow cytometric analysis was performed on HeLa cells. The results show that D-SET significantly increases the ratio of phosphorylated histone H3, indicating cell accumulation in the M phase. Additionally, D-SET significantly increased the maximum rate of microtube formation measured by an in vitro tubulin polymerization assay. Besides its direct antiproliferative activity, the antimigratory property of D-SET has been investigated. Our results demonstrate that D-SET significantly inhibits the migration and invasion of HeLa cells after 24h incubation. These results suggests that D-SET is a potent antiproliferative agent against HPV 16+ and HPV-negative cervical cancer cell lines, with an efficacious motility-inhibiting activity against HPV 16+ cells. Accordingly D-SET can be regarded as a potential drug candidate with a promising new mechanism of action among the antiproliferative steroids, potentially allowing for the design of novel anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémi Bózsity
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Renáta Minorics
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Johanna Szabó
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erzsébet Mernyák
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gyula Schneider
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - János Wölfling
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Hui-Chun Wang
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chung Wu
- Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Imre Ocsovszki
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 9, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - István Zupkó
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, University of Szeged, Eötvös u. 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary.
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Yamada A, Renault R, Chikina A, Venzac B, Pereiro I, Coscoy S, Verhulsel M, Parrini MC, Villard C, Viovy JL, Descroix S. Transient microfluidic compartmentalization using actionable microfilaments for biochemical assays, cell culture and organs-on-chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:4691-4701. [PMID: 27797384 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc01143h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We report here a simple yet robust transient compartmentalization system for microfluidic platforms. Cylindrical microfilaments made of commercially available fishing lines are embedded in a microfluidic chamber and employed as removable walls, dividing the chamber into several compartments. These partitions allow tight sealing for hours, and can be removed at any time by longitudinal sliding with minimal hydrodynamic perturbation. This allows the easy implementation of various functions, previously impossible or requiring more complex instrumentation. In this study, we demonstrate the applications of our strategy, firstly to trigger chemical diffusion, then to make surface co-coating or cell co-culture on a two-dimensional substrate, and finally to form multiple cell-laden hydrogel compartments for three-dimensional cell co-culture in a microfluidic device. This technology provides easy and low-cost solutions, without the use of pneumatic valves or external equipment, for constructing well-controlled microenvironments for biochemical and cellular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Yamada
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Renaud Renault
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Aleksandra Chikina
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Bastien Venzac
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Iago Pereiro
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Coscoy
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Marine Verhulsel
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Maria Carla Parrini
- Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France and ART group, Inserm U830, 75248 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Villard
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Louis Viovy
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Descroix
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, 75005, Paris, France. and Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, 75005, Paris, France and Institut Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, 75005, Paris, France
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Lee GH, Jang B, Choi HS, Kim HJ, Park JH, Jeon YC, Carp RI, Kim YS, Choi EK. Upregulation of Connexin 43 Expression Via C-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Signaling in Prion Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 49:1005-19. [PMID: 26599051 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Prion infection leads to neuronal cell death, glial cell activation, and the accumulation of misfolded prion proteins. However, the altered cellular environments in animals with prion diseases are poorly understood. In the central nervous system, cells connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells via connexin (Cx)-assembled gap junction channels to allow the direct exchange of small molecules, including ions, neurotransmitters, and signaling molecules, which regulate the activities of the connected cells. Here, we investigate the role of Cx43 in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Upregulated Cx43 expression, which was dependent on c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK)/c-Jun signaling cascades, was found in prion-affected brain tissues and hippocampal neuronal cells. Scrapie infection-induced Cx43 formed aggregated plaques within the cytoplasmic compartments at the cell-cell interfaces. The ethidium bromide (EtBr) uptake assay and scrape-loading dye transfer assay demonstrated that increased Cx43 has functional consequences for the activity of Cx43 hemichannels. Interestingly, blockade of PrPSc accumulation reduced Cx43 expression through the inhibition of JNK signaling, indicating that PrPSc accumulation may be directly involved in JNK activation-mediated Cx43 upregulation. Overall, our findings describe a scrapie infection-mediated novel regulatory signaling pathway of Cx43 expression and may suggest a role for Cx43 in the pathogenesis of prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geon-Hwi Lee
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungki Jang
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong-Seok Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.,Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jun Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Ho Park
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.,Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Chul Jeon
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Richard I Carp
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Yong-Sun Kim
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.,Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyoung Choi
- Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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Kim YJ, Kim J, Kim YS, Shin B, Choo OS, Lee JJ, Choung YH. Connexin 43 Acts as a Proapoptotic Modulator in Cisplatin-Induced Auditory Cell Death. Antioxid Redox Signal 2016; 25:623-636. [PMID: 27122099 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2015.6412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Gap junction coupling is known to play a role in intercellular communication by the Good Samaritan effect or bystander effect. Nonjunctional connexins (Cxs) may also play certain gap junction-independent roles in cell death or survival. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of junctional and nonjunctional Cxs in ototoxic drug-induced auditory cell death by focusing on Cx43 in the cochlea. RESULTS Nonjunctional Cx43 conditions were prepared by low confluence culture (5 × 103/cm2) or a trafficking inhibitor, brefeldin A (BFA), in auditory cells, and short lengthened Cx43s with amino-terminal (NT; amino acids 1-256) or carboxy-terminal (CT; amino acids 257-382) were transfected into Cx-deficient HeLa cells to avoid gap junction formation. Knockdown of nonchannel Cx43 (small interfering RNA [siRNA]) inhibited Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin)-induced cell death regardless of gap junction formation; however, a gap junction blocker, 18 alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (18α-GA), showed inhibitory effect only under the junctional condition. BFA did not show any additive influence on the inhibitory effect of siRNA Cx43. Shortened Cx43-transfected HeLa cells also resulted in a significant increase in cell death under cisplatin. In the animal studies with cisplatin-treated rats, hearing thresholds of auditory brainstem response were significantly preserved by a gap junction blocker, carbenoxolone, showing much more preserved stereocilia of hair cells in scanning electron microscopic findings. Innovation and Conclusion: Cx43 plays a proapoptotic role in cisplatin-induced auditory cell death in both junctional and nonjunctional conditions. Targeting the Cx-mediated signaling control may be helpful in designing new therapeutic strategies for drug-induced ototoxicity. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 25, 623-636.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Ju Kim
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine , Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jangho Kim
- 2 Department of Rural and Biosystems Engineering, Chonnam National University , Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Sun Kim
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine , Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Beomyong Shin
- 3 Department of Medical Sciences, The Graduate School, Ajou University , Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Oak-Sung Choo
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine , Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Joo Lee
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine , Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Hoon Choung
- 1 Department of Otolaryngology, Ajou University School of Medicine , Suwon, Republic of Korea.,3 Department of Medical Sciences, The Graduate School, Ajou University , Suwon, Republic of Korea
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Cell-permeable p38 MAP kinase promotes migration of adult neural stem/progenitor cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:24279. [PMID: 27067799 PMCID: PMC4828673 DOI: 10.1038/srep24279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) can migrate toward sites of injury, but the migration activity of NPCs is insufficient to regenerate damaged brain tissue. In this study, we showed that p38 MAP kinase (p38) is expressed in doublecortin-positive adult NPCs. Experiments using the p38 inhibitor SB203580 revealed that endogenous p38 participates in NPC migration. To enhance NPC migration, we generated a cell-permeable wild-type p38 protein (PTD-p38WT) in which the HIV protein transduction domain (PTD) was fused to the N-terminus of p38. Treatment with PTD-p38WT significantly promoted the random migration of adult NPCs without affecting cell survival or differentiation; this effect depended on the cell permeability and kinase activity of the fusion protein. These findings indicate that PTD-p38WT is a novel and useful tool for unraveling the roles of p38, and that this protein provides a reasonable approach for regenerating the injured brain by enhancing NPC migration.
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Naus CC, Aftab Q, Sin WC. Common mechanisms linking connexin43 to neural progenitor cell migration and glioma invasion. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 50:59-66. [PMID: 26706148 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cell migration is critical for cell differentiation, tissue formation and organ development. Several mechanisms come to play in the process of cell migration, orchestrating changes in cell polarity, adhesion, process extension and motility. Recent findings have shown that gap junctions, and specifically connexin43 (Cx43), can play a significant role in these processes, impacting adhesion and cytoskeletal rearrangements. Thus Cx43 within a cell regulates its motility and migration via intracellular signaling. Furthermore, Cx43 in the host cells can impact the degree of cellular migration through that tissue. Similarities in these connexin-based processes account for both neural progenitor migration in the developing brain, and for glioma cell invasion in the mature brain. In both cases, Cx43 in the tissue ("soil") in which cells ("seeds") exist facilitates their migration and, for glioma cells, tissue invasion. Cx43 mediates these effects through channel- and non-channel-dependent mechanisms which have similarities in both paradigms of cell migration. This provides insight into developmental processes and pathological situations, as well as possible therapeutic approaches regarding specific functional domains of gap junction proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian C Naus
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3.
| | - Qurratulain Aftab
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
| | - Wun Chey Sin
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
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50
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Yuan D, Sun G, Zhang R, Luo C, Ge M, Luo G, Hei Z. Connexin 43 expressed in endothelial cells modulates monocyte‑endothelial adhesion by regulating cell adhesion proteins. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:7146-52. [PMID: 26324251 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Adhesion between circulating monocytes and vascular endothelial cells is a key initiator of atherosclerosis. In our previous studies, it was demonstrated that the expression of connexin (Cx)43 in monocytes modulates cell adhesion, however, the effects of the expression of Cx43 in endothelial cells remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of the expression of Cx43 in endothelial cells in the process of cell adhesion. A total of four different methods with distinct mechanisms were used to change the function and expression of Cx43 channels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells: Cx43 channel inhibitor (oleamide), enhancer (retinoic acid), overexpression of Cx43 by transfection with pcDNA‑Cx43 and knock‑down of the expression of Cx43 by small interfering RNA against Cx43. The results indicated that the upregulation of the expression of Cx43 enhanced monocyte‑endothelial adhesion and this was markedly decreased by downregulation of Cx43. This mechanism was associated with Cx43‑induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule‑1 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule‑1. The effects of Cx43 in endothelial cells was independent of Cx37 or Cx40. These experiments suggested that local regulation of endothelial Cx43 expression within the vasculature regulates monocyte‑endothelial adhesion, a critical event in the development of atherosclerosis and other inflammatory pathologies, with baseline adhesion set by the expression of Cx43. This balance may be crucial in controlling leukocyte involvement in inflammatory cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Guoliang Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Chenfang Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Mian Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Gangjian Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Ziqing Hei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
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