1
|
Song X, Zhang J, Shen S, Liu D, Zhang J, Yin W, Ye G, Wang L, Cai L, Hou H, Qiu X. Cardiac-Adaptive Conductive Hydrogel Patch Enabling Construction of Mechanical-Electrical Anisotropic Microenvironment for Heart Repair. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0161. [PMID: 37303598 PMCID: PMC10250027 DOI: 10.34133/research.0161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The biomimetic construction of a microstructural-mechanical-electrical anisotropic microenvironment adaptive to the native cardiac tissue is essential to repair myocardial infarction (MI). Inspired by the 3D anisotropic characteristic of the natural fish swim bladder (FSB), a novel flexible, anisotropic, and conductive hydrogel was developed for tissue-specific adaptation to the anisotropic structural, conductive, and mechanical features of the native cardiac extracellular matrix. The results revealed that the originally stiff, homogeneous FSB film was tailored to a highly flexible anisotropic hydrogel, enabling its potential as a functional engineered cardiac patch (ECP). In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the enhanced electrophysiological activity, maturation, elongation, and orientation of cardiomyocytes (CMs), and marked MI repair performance with reduced CM apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis, thereby promoting cell retention, myogenesis, and vascularization, as well as improving electrical integration. Our findings offer a potential strategy for functional ECP and provides a novel strategy to bionically simulate the complex cardiac repair environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Song
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital,
Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510910, China
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, Neuroscience Laboratory for Cognitive and Developmental Disorders, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Si Shen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science; Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science; Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science; Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Wenming Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science; Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Genlan Ye
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital,
Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510910, China
| | - Leyu Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science; Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Liu Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science; Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Honghao Hou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science; Biomaterials Research Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Xiaozhong Qiu
- Central Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital,
Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510910, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Blackwell DJ, Schmeckpeper J, Knollmann BC. Animal Models to Study Cardiac Arrhythmias. Circ Res 2022; 130:1926-1964. [PMID: 35679367 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.122.320258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for 10% to 15% of all deaths. Although most arrhythmias are due to acquired heart disease, inherited channelopathies and cardiomyopathies disproportionately affect children and young adults. Arrhythmogenesis is complex, involving anatomic structure, ion channels and regulatory proteins, and the interplay between cells in the conduction system, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, and the immune system. Animal models of arrhythmia are powerful tools for studying not only molecular and cellular mechanism of arrhythmogenesis but also more complex mechanisms at the whole heart level, and for testing therapeutic interventions. This review summarizes basic and clinical arrhythmia mechanisms followed by an in-depth review of published animal models of genetic and acquired arrhythmia disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Blackwell
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Jeffrey Schmeckpeper
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | - Bjorn C Knollmann
- Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Connexins in the Heart: Regulation, Function and Involvement in Cardiac Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094413. [PMID: 33922534 PMCID: PMC8122935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins are a family of transmembrane proteins that play a key role in cardiac physiology. Gap junctional channels put into contact the cytoplasms of connected cardiomyocytes, allowing the existence of electrical coupling. However, in addition to this fundamental role, connexins are also involved in cardiomyocyte death and survival. Thus, chemical coupling through gap junctions plays a key role in the spreading of injury between connected cells. Moreover, in addition to their involvement in cell-to-cell communication, mounting evidence indicates that connexins have additional gap junction-independent functions. Opening of unopposed hemichannels, located at the lateral surface of cardiomyocytes, may compromise cell homeostasis and may be involved in ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, connexins located at non-canonical cell structures, including mitochondria and the nucleus, have been demonstrated to be involved in cardioprotection and in regulation of cell growth and differentiation. In this review, we will provide, first, an overview on connexin biology, including their synthesis and degradation, their regulation and their interactions. Then, we will conduct an in-depth examination of the role of connexins in cardiac pathophysiology, including new findings regarding their involvement in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiac fibrosis, gene transcription or signaling regulation.
Collapse
|
4
|
Garg R, Kumariya S, Katekar R, Verma S, Goand UK, Gayen JR. JNK signaling pathway in metabolic disorders: An emerging therapeutic target. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 901:174079. [PMID: 33812885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic Syndrome is a multifactorial disease associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, type 2 diabetes mellitus, fatty liver disease, etc. Various stress stimuli such as reactive oxygen species, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased cytokines, or free fatty acids are known to aggravate progressive development of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Although the exact mechanism contributing to altered metabolism is unclear. Evidence suggests stress kinase role to be a crucial one in metabolic syndrome. Stress kinase, c-jun N-terminal kinase activation (JNK) is involved in various metabolic manifestations including obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease as well as cardiometabolic disorders. It emerged as a foremost mediator in regulating metabolism in the liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue as well as pancreatic β cells. It has three isoforms each having a unique and tissue-specific role in altered metabolism. Current findings based on genetic manipulation or chemical inhibition studies identified JNK isoforms to play a central role in the regulation of whole-body metabolism, suggesting it to be a novel therapeutic target. Hence, it is imperative to elucidate its role in metabolic syndrome onset and progression. The purpose of this review is to elucidate in vitro and in vivo implications of JNK signaling along with the therapeutic strategy to inhibit specific isoform. Since metabolic syndrome is an array of diseases and complex pathway, carefully examining each tissue will be important for specific treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richa Garg
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sanjana Kumariya
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Roshan Katekar
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Saurabh Verma
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Umesh K Goand
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Jiaur R Gayen
- Pharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India; Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
JNK and cardiometabolic dysfunction. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20190267. [PMID: 31270248 PMCID: PMC6639461 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20190267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) describes the cluster of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases that are generally characterized by impaired glucose tolerance, intra-abdominal adiposity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. CMS currently affects more than 25% of the world’s population and the rates of diseases are rapidly rising. These CMS conditions represent critical risk factors for cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the underlying signaling involved in disease onset and progression. The c-Jun N-terminal Kinases (JNKs) are a family of stress signaling kinases that have been recently indicated in CMS. The purpose of this review is to examine the in vivo implications of JNK as a potential therapeutic target for CMS. As the constellation of diseases associated with CMS are complex and involve multiple tissues and environmental triggers, carefully examining what is known about the JNK pathway will be important for specificity in treatment strategies.
Collapse
|
6
|
Li WC, Gao H, Gao J, Wang ZJ. Antiarrhythmic effect of sevoflurane as an additive to HTK solution on reperfusion arrhythmias induced by hypothermia and ischaemia is associated with the phosphorylation of connexin 43 at serine 368. BMC Anesthesiol 2019; 19:5. [PMID: 30621602 PMCID: PMC6325883 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-018-0656-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reperfusion ventricular arrhythmia (RA) associated with hypothermic ischaemic storage is increasingly recognized as a substantial contributor to adverse consequences after heart transplantation. Ischemia- or hypothermia-induced gap junction (GJ) remodelling is closely linked to RA. Reducing GJ remodelling contributes to RA attenuation and is important in heart transplantation. However, sevoflurane has an antiarrhythmic effect associated with the connexin 43 (Cx43) protein that has not yet been fully established. Methods Hearts were divided into two groups according to a random number table: all hearts were arrested by an infusion of histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution (4 °C) followed by (1) storage in HTK solution (4 °C) alone for 6 h (n = 8, Control group) or (2) storage in HTK solution supplemented with sevoflurane (2.5%) (4 °C) for 6 h (n = 8, Sevo-HTK group). First, the total Cx43 level and the phosphorylation of Cx43 at Ser368 (Cx43-pS368) were assessed by Western blotting, and the distribution of Cx43 was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Second, programmed electrical stimulation (PES) and monophasic action potential (MAP) recording were used to analyse the MAP duration (MAPD), conduction velocity (CV) and transmural repolarization dispersion (TDR). In addition, haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining were individually used to investigate the degree of myocardial pathological damage and cell apoptosis. Finally, bipolar electrograms were used to record the graft re-beating time and monitor RA during reperfusion for 15 to 30 min. Results Sevo-HTK solution relatively increased the total Cx43 (P < 0.01) and Cx43-pS368 (P < 0.01) levels and prevented Cx43 redistribution (P < 0.05) and CV slowing (P < 0.001) but did not change TDR (P > 0.05). Additionally, the Cx43-pS368/total Cx43 ratio (P>0.05) was similar in the two groups. However, with Sevo-HTK solution, the graft re-beating times were shortened, myocardial pathological damage was ameliorated, and the number of apoptotic cells was markedly decreased. Conclusion The reduction in hypothermia and ischaemia-induced reperfusion arrhythmias by the addition of sevoflurane to HTK solution may be related to the phosphorylation of Cx43 at serine 368.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chao Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Hong Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China.
| | - Ju Gao
- Department of Anaesthesiology, North Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zi Jun Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ghouili F, Martin LJ. Cooperative regulation of Gja1 expression by members of the AP-1 family cJun and cFos in TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells. Gene 2017; 635:24-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
8
|
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias can follow disruption of the normal cellular electrophysiological processes underlying excitable activity and their tissue propagation as coherent wavefronts from the primary sinoatrial node pacemaker, through the atria, conducting structures and ventricular myocardium. These physiological events are driven by interacting, voltage-dependent, processes of activation, inactivation, and recovery in the ion channels present in cardiomyocyte membranes. Generation and conduction of these events are further modulated by intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, and metabolic and structural change. This review describes experimental studies on murine models for known clinical arrhythmic conditions in which these mechanisms were modified by genetic, physiological, or pharmacological manipulation. These exemplars yielded molecular, physiological, and structural phenotypes often directly translatable to their corresponding clinical conditions, which could be investigated at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and whole animal levels. Arrhythmogenesis could be explored during normal pacing activity, regular stimulation, following imposed extra-stimuli, or during progressively incremented steady pacing frequencies. Arrhythmic substrate was identified with temporal and spatial functional heterogeneities predisposing to reentrant excitation phenomena. These could arise from abnormalities in cardiac pacing function, tissue electrical connectivity, and cellular excitation and recovery. Triggering events during or following recovery from action potential excitation could thereby lead to sustained arrhythmia. These surface membrane processes were modified by alterations in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis and energetics, as well as cellular and tissue structural change. Study of murine systems thus offers major insights into both our understanding of normal cardiac activity and its propagation, and their relationship to mechanisms generating clinical arrhythmias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L-H Huang
- Physiological Laboratory and the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hyperthermia differently affects connexin43 expression and gap junction permeability in skeletal myoblasts and HeLa cells. Mediators Inflamm 2014; 2014:748290. [PMID: 25143668 PMCID: PMC4131114 DOI: 10.1155/2014/748290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress kinases can be activated by hyperthermia and modify the expression level and properties of membranous and intercellular channels. We examined the role of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in hyperthermia-induced changes of connexin43 (Cx43) expression and permeability of Cx43 gap junctions (GJs) in the rabbit skeletal myoblasts (SkMs) and Cx43-EGFP transfected HeLa cells. Hyperthermia (42°C for 6 h) enhanced the activity of JNK and its target, the transcription factor c-Jun, in both SkMs and HeLa cells. In SkMs, hyperthermia caused a 3.2-fold increase in the total Cx43 protein level and enhanced the efficacy of GJ intercellular communication (GJIC). In striking contrast, hyperthermia reduced the total amount of Cx43 protein, the number of Cx43 channels in GJ plaques, the density of hemichannels in the cell membranes, and the efficiency of GJIC in HeLa cells. Both in SkMs and HeLa cells, these changes could be prevented by XG-102, a JNK inhibitor. In HeLa cells, the changes in Cx43 expression and GJIC under hyperthermic conditions were accompanied by JNK-dependent disorganization of actin cytoskeleton stress fibers while in SkMs, the actin cytoskeleton remained intact. These findings provide an attractive model to identify the regulatory players within signalosomes, which determine the cell-dependent outcomes of hyperthermia.
Collapse
|
10
|
Davies L, Jin J, Shen W, Tsui H, Shi Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Hao G, Wu J, Chen S, Fraser JA, Dong N, Christoffels V, Ravens U, Huang CL, Zhang H, Cartwright EJ, Wang X, Lei M. Mkk4 is a negative regulator of the transforming growth factor beta 1 signaling associated with atrial remodeling and arrhythmogenesis with age. J Am Heart Assoc 2014; 3:e000340. [PMID: 24721794 PMCID: PMC4187508 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.113.000340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF), often associated with structural, fibrotic change in cardiac tissues involving regulatory signaling mediators, becomes increasingly common with age. In the present study, we explored the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 (Mkk4), a critical component of the stress-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase family, in age-associated AF. METHODS AND RESULTS We developed a novel mouse model with a selective inactivation of atrial cardiomyocyte Mkk4 (Mkk4(ACKO)). We characterized and compared electrophysiological, histological, and molecular features of young (3- to 4-month), adult (6-month), and old (1-year) Mkk4(ACKO) mice with age-matched control littermates (Mkk4(F/F)). Aging Mkk4(ACKO) mice were more susceptible to atrial tachyarrhythmias than the corresponding Mkk4(F/F) mice, showing characteristic slow and dispersed atrial conduction, for which modeling studies demonstrated potential arrhythmic effects. These differences paralleled increased interstitial fibrosis, upregulated transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) signaling and dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinases in Mkk4(ACKO), compared to Mkk4(F/F), atria. Mkk4 inactivation increased the sensitivity of cultured cardiomyocytes to angiotensin II-induced activation of TGF-β1 signaling. This, in turn, enhanced expression of profibrotic molecules in cultured cardiac fibroblasts, suggesting cross-talk between these two cell types in profibrotic signaling. Finally, human atrial tissues in AF showed a Mkk4 downregulation associated with increased production of profibrotic molecules, compared to findings in tissue from control subjects in sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS These findings together demonstrate, for the first time, that Mkk4 is a negative regulator of the TGF-β1 signaling associated with atrial remodeling and arrhythmogenesis with age, establishing Mkk4 as a new potential therapeutic target for treating AF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Davies
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (L.D., J.J., H.T., Y.W., Y.Z., G.H., E.J.C., M.L.)
| | - Jiawei Jin
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (L.D., J.J., H.T., Y.W., Y.Z., G.H., E.J.C., M.L.)
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (J.J., X.W.)
| | - Weijin Shen
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (W.S., H.Z.)
| | - Hoyee Tsui
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (L.D., J.J., H.T., Y.W., Y.Z., G.H., E.J.C., M.L.)
| | - Ying Shi
- Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (Y.S., J.W., S.C., N.D., M.L.)
| | - Yanwen Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (L.D., J.J., H.T., Y.W., Y.Z., G.H., E.J.C., M.L.)
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (L.D., J.J., H.T., Y.W., Y.Z., G.H., E.J.C., M.L.)
| | - Guoliang Hao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (L.D., J.J., H.T., Y.W., Y.Z., G.H., E.J.C., M.L.)
| | - Jingjing Wu
- Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (Y.S., J.W., S.C., N.D., M.L.)
| | - Si Chen
- Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (Y.S., J.W., S.C., N.D., M.L.)
| | - James A. Fraser
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (J.A.F., C.L.H.)
| | - Nianguo Dong
- Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (Y.S., J.W., S.C., N.D., M.L.)
| | - Vincent Christoffels
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (V.C.)
| | - Ursula Ravens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany (U.R.)
| | | | - Henggui Zhang
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (W.S., H.Z.)
| | - Elizabeth J. Cartwright
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (L.D., J.J., H.T., Y.W., Y.Z., G.H., E.J.C., M.L.)
| | - Xin Wang
- Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (J.J., X.W.)
| | - Ming Lei
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK (L.D., J.J., H.T., Y.W., Y.Z., G.H., E.J.C., M.L.)
- Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases, Union Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (Y.S., J.W., S.C., N.D., M.L.)
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, UK (M.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Oyamada M, Takebe K, Oyamada Y. Regulation of connexin expression by transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2012; 1828:118-33. [PMID: 22244842 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2011.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2011] [Revised: 12/17/2011] [Accepted: 12/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Gap junctions are specialized cell-cell junctions that directly link the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. They mediate the direct transfer of metabolites and ions from one cell to another. Discoveries of human genetic disorders due to mutations in gap junction protein (connexin [Cx]) genes and experimental data on connexin knockout mice provide direct evidence that gap junctional intercellular communication is essential for tissue functions and organ development, and that its dysfunction causes diseases. Connexin-related signaling also involves extracellular signaling (hemichannels) and non-channel intracellular signaling. Thus far, 21 human genes and 20 mouse genes for connexins have been identified. Each connexin shows tissue- or cell-type-specific expression, and most organs and many cell types express more than one connexin. Connexin expression can be regulated at many of the steps in the pathway from DNA to RNA to protein. In recent years, it has become clear that epigenetic processes are also essentially involved in connexin gene expression. In this review, we summarize recent knowledge on regulation of connexin expression by transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications, DNA methylation, and microRNA. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The communicating junctions, roles and dysfunctions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Oyamada
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Fuji Women's University, Ishikarishi, Japan.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|