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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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Alsabbagh MM. Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome: A comprehensive review of cutaneous and systemic manifestations. Pediatr Dermatol 2023; 40:19-27. [PMID: 36444857 DOI: 10.1111/pde.15201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome is a rare genetic disease presenting with cutaneous, ocular, and otic defects. This comprehensive review provides insight into the clinical presentations, highlighting the cutaneous manifestations including histopathology and treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manahel Mahmood Alsabbagh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Princess Al-Jawhara Center for Molecular Medicine and Inherited Disorders, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
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3
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Squecco R, Pierucci F, Idrizaj E, Frati A, Lenci E, Vicenti C, Iachini MC, Martinesi M, Garella R, Baccari MC, Francini F, Meacci E. Ceramide/protein phosphatase 2A axis is engaged in gap junction impairment elicited by PCB153 in liver stem-like progenitor cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2021; 476:3111-3126. [PMID: 33837873 PMCID: PMC8263450 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-021-04135-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The widespread environmental pollutant 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153) is a non-dioxin-like toxicant. It is a potential carcinogen compound able to induce gap junction (GJ) intercellular communication impairment, probably the first non-genomic event leading to tumor promotion. Although PCBs have been known for many years, the molecular mode of PCB153 action is still unclear. Recent studies from our research group have shown that the toxicant elicits a transient modulation of connexin (Cx) 43-formed GJs in hepatic stem-like WB-F344 cells involving sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) path. Taking into account that other strictly related bioactive sphingolipids, such as ceramide (Cer), may have different effects from S1P, here we aim to clarify the signaling paths engaged by PCB153 in the control of GJs, focusing primarily on the role of Cer. Accordingly, we have achieved a combined biomolecular and electrophysiological analysis of GJs in cultured WB-F344 cells treated with PCB153 at different time points. We have found that the toxicant elicited a time-dependent regulation of GJs formed by different Cx isoforms, through a transient modulation of Cer/Cer kinase (CerK) axis and, in turn, of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Our new findings demonstrate the existence of a specific molecular mechanism downstream to Cer, which distinctly affects the voltage-dependent and -independent GJs in liver stem-like cells, and open new opportunities for the identification of additional potential targets of these environmental toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Squecco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 63, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Pierucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Research unit of Molecular and Applied Biology, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Eglantina Idrizaj
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 63, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Frati
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Research unit of Molecular and Applied Biology, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Lenci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Research unit of Molecular and Applied Biology, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Catia Vicenti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Research unit of Molecular and Applied Biology, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Iachini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Research unit of Molecular and Applied Biology, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Martinesi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Research unit of Molecular and Applied Biology, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Rachele Garella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 63, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Baccari
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 63, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Francini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 63, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Meacci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Research unit of Molecular and Applied Biology, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 50, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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Abstract
Fifty years ago, tumour cells were found to lack electrical coupling, leading to the hypothesis that loss of direct intercellular communication is commonly associated with cancer onset and progression. Subsequent studies linked this phenomenon to gap junctions composed of connexin proteins. Although many studies support the notion that connexins are tumour suppressors, recent evidence suggests that, in some tumour types, they may facilitate specific stages of tumour progression through both junctional and non-junctional signalling pathways. This Timeline article highlights the milestones connecting gap junctions to cancer, and underscores important unanswered questions, controversies and therapeutic opportunities in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trond Aasen
- (Co-corresponding authors) Correspondence to
T.A. () and D.W.L.
()
| | - Marc Mesnil
- STIM Laboratory ERL 7368 CNRS - Faculté des Sciences
Fondamentales et Appliquées, Université de Poitiers, Poitiers,
France
| | - Christian C. Naus
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, The Life
Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul D. Lampe
- Translational Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center, Seattle, United States
| | - Dale W. Laird
- (Co-corresponding authors) Correspondence to
T.A. () and D.W.L.
()
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Cx26 knockout predisposes the mammary gland to primary mammary tumors in a DMBA-induced mouse model of breast cancer. Oncotarget 2016; 6:37185-99. [PMID: 26439696 PMCID: PMC4741923 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Down-regulation of the gap junction protein connexin26 (Cx26) is an early event following breast cancer onset and has led to Cx26 being classically described as a tumor suppressor. Interestingly, mutations in theCx26 gene (GJB2) reduce or ablate Cx26 gap junction channel function and are the most common cause of genetic deafness. It is unknown if patients with loss-of-function GJB2 mutations have a greater susceptibility to breast tumorigenesis or aggressive breast cancer progression. To investigate these possibilities, 7, 12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA)-induced tumor development was evaluated in BLG-Cre; Cx26fl/fl mice expressing Cre under the β-Lactoglobulin promoter (Cre+) compared to Cx26fl/fl controlmice (Cre-) following pituitary isograft driven Cx26 knockout. A significantly increased number of DMBA-treated Cre+ mice developed primary mammary tumors, as well as developed multiple tumors, compared to Cre- mice. Primary tumors of Cre+ mice were of multiple histological subtypes and had similar palpable tumour onset and growth rate compared to tumors from Cre- mice. Lungs were evaluated for evidence of metastases revealing a similar percentage of lung metastases in Cre+ and Cre- mice. Together, our results suggest that loss of Cx26 predisposes the mammary gland to chemically induced mammary tumour formation which may have important implications to patients with GJB2 mutations.
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Liu J, Fang S, Ding Q, Wang Y, Ye T, Zhu H, Zhang X, Li B, Xu Y, Li Z. Mutations of connexin 26 (GJB2) gene in a Chinese keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome patient with squamous cell carcinoma. J Dermatol 2015; 43:104-6. [PMID: 26444850 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.13145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Liu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Shan Fang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Qiuyun Ding
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University; Baoding China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University; Baoding China
| | - Teng Ye
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Haigang Zhu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Xueqi Zhang
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Bingxu Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Yunsheng Xu
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
| | - Zhiming Li
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology; The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Wenzhou China
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Abstract
Connexin mutations underlie numerous human genetic diseases. Several connexin genes have been linked to skin diseases, and mechanistic studies have indicated that a gain of abnormal channel function may be responsible for pathology. The topical accessibility of the epidermal connexins, the existence of several mouse models of human skin disease, and the ongoing identification of pharmacological inhibitors targeting connexins provide an opportunity to test new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah A Levit
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States
| | - Thomas W White
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, United States.
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Homeida L, Wiley RT, Fatahzadeh M. Oral squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome: a rare case. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2015; 119:e226-32. [PMID: 25758847 DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome is a rare form of ectodermal dysplasia with significant visual and auditory impairment. Pathogenesis involves a mutation in the GJB2 gene, which encodes connexin-26, a protein in the epithelial gap junctions thought to be involved in the differentiation of ectodermally derived tissues. Affected patients are also at increased risk for the epithelial malignancies. To our knowledge, nearly 100 cases of KID syndrome, including 19 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) complications, have been reported worldwide. We report here a patient with KID syndrome who developed an ulcerative oral lesion causing him significant discomfort; he was subsequently diagnosed with oral SCC. We review the clinical presentation and symptomatology, including those affecting the oral cavity for this syndrome and highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and life-long screening aimed at prevention of the evolving complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Homeida
- Candidate, Master of Dental Science, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - R T Wiley
- Chief Resident, Oral Pathology, New York Hospital in Queens, New York, New York, USA
| | - M Fatahzadeh
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
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Connexins and skin disease: insights into the role of beta connexins in skin homeostasis. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 360:645-58. [PMID: 25616557 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2094-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cell-to-cell communication triggered by connexin channels plays a central role in maintaining epidermal homeostasis. Here, we discuss the role of the beta connexin subgroup, where site-specific mutations in at least 4 of these proteins lead to distinctive non-inflammatory and inflammatory hyperproliferative epidermal disorders. Recent advances in the molecular pathways evoked and correlation with clinical outcome are discussed. The latest data provide increasing evidence that connexins in the epidermis are sensors to environmental stress and that targeting aberrant hemichannel activity holds significant therapeutic potential for inflammatory skin disorders.
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Aasen T. Connexins: junctional and non-junctional modulators of proliferation. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 360:685-99. [PMID: 25547217 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2078-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that dysregulation of gap junctions and their structural subunits-connexins-often occurs in, and sometimes causes, a variety of proliferative disorders, including cancer. Connexin-mediated regulation of cell proliferation is complex and may involve modulation of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC), hemichannel signalling, or gap junction-independent paths. However, the exact mechanisms linking connexins to proliferation remain poorly defined and a number of contradictory studies report both pro- and anti-proliferative effects, effects that often depend on the cell or tissue type or the microenvironment. The present review covers junctional and non-junctional regulation of proliferation by connexins, with a particular emphasis on their association with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trond Aasen
- Molecular Pathology Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona, 08035, Spain,
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