Cell Line Specific Modulation of Connexin43 Expression after Exposure to Ionizing Radiation

The role of connexin proteins and their channels in radiation-induced atherosclerosis

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for breast cancer and other thoracic tumors. However, while high-energy radiotherapy treatment successfully kills cancer cells, radiation exposure of the heart and large arteries cannot always be avoided, resulting in secondary cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors. Radiation-induced changes in the cardiac vasculature may thereby lead to coronary artery atherosclerosis, which is a major cardiovascular complication nowadays in thoracic radiotherapy-treated patients. The underlying biological and molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced atherosclerosis are complex and still not fully understood, resulting in potentially improper radiation protection. Ionizing radiation (IR) exposure may damage the vascular endothelium by inducing DNA damage, oxidative stress, premature cellular senescence, cell death and inflammation, which act to promote the atherosclerotic process. Intercellular communication mediated by connexin (Cx)-based gap junctions and hemichannels may modulate IR-induced responses and thereby the atherosclerotic process. However, the role of endothelial Cxs and their channels in atherosclerotic development after IR exposure is still poorly defined. A better understanding of the underlying biological pathways involved in secondary cardiovascular toxicity after radiotherapy would facilitate the development of effective strategies that prevent or mitigate these adverse effects. Here, we review the possible roles of intercellular Cx driven signaling and communication in radiation-induced atherosclerosis.

Connexin43 Hemichannel Targeting With TAT-Gap19 Alleviates Radiation-Induced Endothelial Cell Damage

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence indicates an excess risk of late occurring cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis, after thoracic cancer radiotherapy. Ionizing radiation (IR) induces cellular effects which may induce endothelial cell dysfunction, an early marker for atherosclerosis. In addition, intercellular communication through channels composed of transmembrane connexin proteins (Cxs), i.e. Gap junctions (direct cell-cell coupling) and hemichannels (paracrine release/uptake pathway) can modulate radiation-induced responses and therefore the atherosclerotic process. However, the role of endothelial hemichannel in IR-induced atherosclerosis has never been described before.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Telomerase-immortalized human Coronary Artery/Microvascular Endothelial cells (TICAE/TIME) were exposed to X-rays (0.1 and 5 Gy). Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage, cell death, inflammatory responses, and senescence were assessed with or without applying a Cx43 hemichannel blocker (TAT-Gap19).

RESULTS

We report here that IR induces an increase in oxidative stress, cell death, inflammatory responses (IL-8, IL-1β, VCAM-1, MCP-1, and Endothelin-1) and premature cellular senescence in TICAE and TIME cells. These effects are significantly reduced in the presence of the Cx43 hemichannel-targeting peptide TAT-Gap19.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that endothelial Cx43 hemichannels contribute to various IR-induced processes, such as ROS, cell death, inflammation, and senescence, resulting in an increase in endothelial cell damage, which could be protected by blocking these hemichannels. Thus, targeting Cx43 hemichannels may potentially exert radioprotective effects.

Gamma Radiation-Induced Disruption of Cellular Junctions in HUVECs Is Mediated through Affecting MAPK/NF-κB Inflammatory Pathways

Ionizing radiation-induced cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been well documented. However, the mechanisms of CVD genesis are still not fully understood. In this study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to gamma irradiation at different doses ranging from 0.2 Gy to 5 Gy. Cell viability, migration ability, permeability, oxidative and nitrosative stresses, inflammation, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) pathway activation were evaluated postirradiation. It was found that gamma irradiation at doses ranging from 0.5 Gy to 5 Gy inhibited the migration ability of HUVECs without any significant effects on cell viability at 6 h and 24 h postirradiation. The decreased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), increased permeability, and disruption of cellular junctions were observed in HUVECs after gamma irradiation accompanied by the lower levels of junction-related proteins such as ZO-1, occludin, vascular endothelial- (VE-) cadherin, and connexin 40. The enhanced oxidative and nitrosative stresses, e.g., ROS and NO₂ ^- levels and inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were demonstrated in HUVECs after gamma irradiation. Western blot results showed that protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway molecules p38, p53, p21, and p27 increased after gamma irradiation, which further induced the activation of the NF-κB pathway. BAY 11-7085, an inhibitor of NF-κB activation, was demonstrated to partially block the effects of gamma radiation in HUVECs examined by TEER and FITC-dextran permeability assay. We therefore concluded that the gamma irradiation-induced disruption of cellular junctions in HUVECs was through the inflammatory MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Single and fractionated ionizing radiation induce alterations in endothelial connexin expression and channel function

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for most tumor types. However, emerging evidence indicates an increased risk for atherosclerosis after ionizing radiation exposure, initiated by endothelial cell dysfunction. Interestingly, endothelial cells express connexin (Cx) proteins that are reported to exert proatherogenic as well as atheroprotective effects. Furthermore, Cxs form channels, gap junctions and hemichannels, that are involved in bystander signaling that leads to indirect radiation effects in non-exposed cells. We here aimed to investigate the consequences of endothelial cell irradiation on Cx expression and channel function. Telomerase immortalized human Coronary Artery/Microvascular Endothelial cells were exposed to single and fractionated X-rays. Several biological endpoints were investigated at different time points after exposure: Cx gene and protein expression, gap junctional dye coupling and hemichannel function. We demonstrate that single and fractionated irradiation induce upregulation of proatherogenic Cx43 and downregulation of atheroprotective Cx40 gene and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. Single and fractionated irradiation furthermore increased gap junctional communication and induced hemichannel opening. Our findings indicate alterations in Cx expression that are typically observed in endothelial cells covering atherosclerotic plaques. The observed radiation-induced increase in Cx channel function may promote bystander signaling thereby exacerbating endothelial cell damage and atherogenesis.

Autophagy-Src Regulates Connexin43-Mediated Gap Junction Intercellular Communication in Irradiated HepG2 Cells

Connexin molecules are an important component of the gap junction, with connexin43 (Cx43) being the most abundantly expressed type. Src is a nonreceptor tyrosine-protein kinase that affects Cx43 activity by multiple mechanisms. However, it is not clear how Src regulates Cx43 to influence radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBEs). In this study, we demonstrated that Cx43 on Tyr265 was phosphorylated by activated Src in α-irradiated HepG2 cells, with the total expression of Cx43 unchanged. After inhibition of Cx43 phosphorylation in irradiated cells, the frequency of γ-H2AX foci formation in adjacent nonirradiated bystander cells was significantly enhanced. Furthermore, this study showed that autophagy regulated the activity of Src and phosphorylation of Cx43, and the level of autophagy was correlated with the radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results suggest that ROS and autophagy play an important role in regulating the Src-Cx43 axis to affect the RIBEs. Our findings provide new insights into the Cx43-mediated gap junction intercellular communication, as well as the underlying mechanism of RIBEs.

The impact of ionizing radiation on placental trophoblasts

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to low-dose radiation is widespread and attributable to natural sources. However, occupational, medical, accidental, and terrorist-related exposures remain a significant threat. Information on radiation injury to the feto-placental unit is scant and largely observational. We hypothesized that radiation causes trophoblast injury, and alters the expression of injury-related transcripts in vitro or in vivo, thus affecting fetal growth.

METHODS

Primary human trophoblasts (PHTs), BeWo or NCCIT cells were irradiated in vitro, and cell number and viability were determined. Pregnant C57Bl/6HNsd mice were externally irradiated on E13.5, and placentas examined on E17.5. RNA expression was analyzed using microarrays and RT-qPCR. The experiments were repeated in the presence of the gramicidin S (GS)-derived nitroxide JP4-039, used to mitigate radiation-induced cell injury.

RESULTS

We found that survival of in vitro-irradiated PHT cell was better than that of irradiated BeWo trophoblast cell line or the radiosensitive NCCIT mixed germ cell tumor line. Radiation altered the expression of several trophoblast genes, with a most dramatic effect on CDKN1A (p21, CIP1). Mice exposed to radiation at E13.5 exhibited a 25% reduction in mean weight by E17.5, and a 9% reduction in placental weight, which was associated with relatively small changes in placental gene expression. JP4-039 had a minimal effect on feto-placental growth or on gene expression in irradiated PHT cells or mouse placenta.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

While radiation affects placental trophoblasts, the established placenta is fairly resistant to radiation, and changes in this tissue may not fully account for fetal growth restriction induced by ionizing radiation.

Connexin-43 regulates p38-mediated cell migration and invasion induced selectively in tumour cells by low doses of γ-radiation in an ERK-1/2-independent manner

Radiotherapy exposes certain regions of solid tumours to low sublethal doses of γ-radiation that may cause secondary malignancies. Therefore, evaluating low-dose-γ-radiation-induced alterations in tumorigenic potential and understanding their mechanisms could help in improving radiotherapy outcome. Limited studies have indicated connexin (Cx) up-regulation by low doses, whereas Cxs are independently shown to alter cell migration in unirradiated cells. We investigated low-dose-γ-radiation-induced alterations in Cx43 expression and cell proliferation/migration/invasion in various tumour cell lines, along with the putative molecular pathways such as p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2)-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Interestingly, a narrow range of low doses (10-20 cGy) enhanced Cx43 expression and also selectively induced glioma cell migration without altering cell proliferation, accompanied by sustained activation of p38 and up-regulation of p21(waf1/cip1), whereas the lowest (5 cGy) dose induced cell proliferation coupled with enhanced p-ERK1/2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p-H3 levels without inducing cell migration. Most importantly, low-dose-γ-radiation-induced cell migration and p38 activation was strongly inhibited by knocking down Cx43 expression, thereby demonstrating latter's upstream role, whereas the knock-down had no effect on ERK-1/2 or cell proliferation. Silencing Cx43 caused near-complete inhibition of radiation-induced cell migration/invasion in all tumour cell lines (U87, BMG-1, A549 and HeLa), whereas no cell migration/invasiveness was induced in the γ-irradiated primary VH10 or transformed AA8 fibroblasts. Our study demonstrates for the first time that low-dose γ-radiation induces p38-MAPK mediated cell migration selectively in tumour cells. Further, this effect is regulated by Cx43, which could thus be an important mediator in radiation-induced secondary malignancies and/or metastasis.

Mouse embryonic stem cells irradiated with γ-rays differentiate into cardiomyocytes but with altered contractile properties

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) for their derivation from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst represent a valuable in vitro model to investigate the effects of ionizing radiation on early embryonic cellular response. Following irradiation, both human and mouse ESCs (mESCs) maintain their pluripotent status and the capacity to differentiate into embryoid bodies and to form teratomas. Although informative of the maintenance of a pluripotent status, these studies never investigated the capability of irradiated ESCs to form specific differentiated phenotypes. Here, for the first time, 5Gy-irradiated mESCs were differentiated into cardiomyocytes, thus allowing the analysis of the long-term effects of ionizing radiations on the differentiation potential of a pluripotent stem cell population. On treated mESCs, 96h after irradiation, a genome-wide expression analysis was first performed in order to determine whether the treatment influenced gene expression of the surviving mESCs. Microarrays analysis showed that only 186 genes were differentially expressed in treated mESCs compared to control cells; a quarter of these genes were involved in cellular differentiation, with three main gene networks emerging, including cardiogenesis. Based on these results, we differentiated irradiated mESCs into cardiomyocytes. On day 5, 8 and 12 of differentiation, treated cells showed a significant alteration (qRT-PCR) of the expression of marker genes (Gata-4, Nkx-2.5, Tnnc1 and Alpk3) when compared to control cells. At day 15 of differentiation, although the organization of sarcomeric α-actinin and troponin T proteins appeared similar in cardiomyocytes differentiated from either mock or treated cells, the video evaluation of the kinematics and dynamics of the beating cardiac syncytium evidenced altered contractile properties of cardiomyocytes derived from irradiated mESCs. This alteration correlated with significant reduction of Connexin 43 foci. Our results indicate that mESCs populations that survive an ionizing irradiation treatment are capable to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, but they have altered contractile properties.

Local oxidative stress expansion through endothelial cells--a key role for gap junction intercellular communication

Background

Major circulation pathologies are initiated by oxidative insult expansion from a few injured endothelial cells to distal sites; this possibly involves mechanisms that are important to understanding circulation physiology and designing therapeutic management of myocardial pathologies. We tested the hypothesis that a localized oxidative insult of endothelial cells (ECs) propagates through gap junction inter-cellular communication (GJIC).

Methodology/Principal Findings

Cultures comprising the bEnd.3 cell line, that have been established and recognized as suitable for examining communication among ECs, were used to study the propagation of a localized oxidative insult to remote cells. Spatially confined near infrared illumination of parental or genetically modified bEnd.3 cultures, pretreated with the photosensitizer WST11, generated O₂•⁻ and •OH radicals in the illuminated cells. Time-lapse fluorescence microscopy, utilizing various markers, and other methods, were used to monitor the response of non-illuminated bystander and remote cells. Functional GJIC among ECs was shown to be mandatory for oxidative insult propagation, comprising de-novo generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS, respectively), activation and nuclear translocation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, followed by massive apoptosis in all bystander cells adjacent to the primarily injured ECs. The oxidative insult propagated through GJIC for many hours, over hundreds of microns from the primary photogeneration site. This wave is shown to be limited by intracellular ROS scavenging, chemical GJIC inhibition or genetic manipulation of connexin 43 (a key component of GJIC).

Conclusion/Significance

Localized oxidative insults propagate through GJIC between ECs, while stimulating de-novo generation of ROS and RNS in bystander cells, thereby driving the insult's expansion.

Looking at the blood-brain barrier: molecular anatomy and possible investigation approaches

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic and complex interface between blood and the central nervous system that strictly controls the exchanges between the blood and brain compartments, therefore playing a key role in brain homeostasis and providing protection against many toxic compounds and pathogens. In this review, the unique properties of brain microvascular endothelial cells and intercellular junctions are examined. The specific interactions between endothelial cells and basement membrane as well as neighboring perivascular pericytes, glial cells and neurons, which altogether constitute the neurovascular unit and play an essential role in both health and function of the central nervous system, are also explored. Some relevant pathways across the endothelium, as well as mechanisms involved in the regulation of BBB permeability, and the emerging role of the BBB as a signaling interface are addressed as well. Furthermore, we summarize some of the experimental approaches that can be used to monitor BBB properties and function in a variety of conditions and have allowed recent advances in BBB knowledge. Elucidation of the molecular anatomy and dynamics of the BBB is an essential step for the development of new strategies directed to maintain or restore BBB integrity and barrier function and ultimately preserve the delicate interstitial brain environment.

Analysis of gene expression in normal and cancer cells exposed to gamma-radiation

The expression of many genes is modulated after exposure to ionizing radiation. Identification of specific genes may allow the determination of pathways important in radiation responses. We previously identified modulation of the expression of several genes in response to ionizing radiation treatment. In the present study, we monitored the expression of RGS1, CC3, THBS1, vWF, MADH7, and a novel gene encoding a secreted protein in irradiated Jurkat, TK6, HeLa, and HFL1 cells. The RGS1 is involved in G-protein signaling pathway, CC3 belongs to the complement system, THBS1 is a component of the extracellular matrix, vWF takes part in blood coagulation, and MADH7 is a member of the TGF-β signal transduction pathway. Our objective was to find similarities and differences in the expression of these genes in ionizing radiation-exposed diverse cell types. RGS1 was downregulated in Jurkat cells but was upregulated in TK6 and HFL1 cells. The expression of CC3 was repressed in Jurkat and HFL1 cells but was induced in TK6 and HeLa cells. THBS1 was downregulated in irradiated TK6 and HFL1 cells. vWF was induced in radiation-exposed HeLa cells, but its expression was downregulated in Jurkat cells. The expression of MADH7 was induced in all the cell types examined. These results indicate cell specific modulation of gene expression and suggest the involvement of different pathways in cellular response to radiation treatment in different cells.

Radiation-induced bystander effects in malignant trophoblast cells are independent from gap junctional communication

It is controversially discussed that irradiation induces bystander effects via gap junction channels and/or diffusible cellular factors such as nitric oxide or cytokines excreted from the cells into the environment. But up to now the molecular mechanism leading to a bystander response is not well understood. To discriminate between both mechanisms of bystander response, (i) mediated by gap junctional communication and/or (ii) mediated by diffusible molecules, we used non-communicating Jeg3 malignant trophoblast cells transfected with inducible gap junction proteins, connexin43 and connexin26, respectively, based on the Tet-On system. We co-cultivated X-ray irradiated and non-irradiated bystander Jeg3 cells for 4 h, separated both cell populations by flow cytometry and evaluated the expression of activated p53 by Western blot analysis. The experimental design was proven with communicating versus non-communicating Jeg3 cells. Interestingly, our results revealed a bystander effect which was independent from gap junctional communication properties and the connexin isoform expressed. Therefore, it seems more likely that the bystander effect is not mediated via gap junction channels but rather by paracrine mechanisms via excreted molecules in Jeg3 cells.