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Oliveira MC, Verswyvel H, Smits E, Cordeiro RM, Bogaerts A, Lin A. The pro- and anti-tumoral properties of gap junctions in cancer and their role in therapeutic strategies. Redox Biol 2022; 57:102503. [PMID: 36228438 PMCID: PMC9557036 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2022.102503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions (GJs), essential structures for cell-cell communication, are made of two hemichannels (commonly called connexons), one on each adjacent cell. Found in almost all cells, GJs play a pivotal role in many physiological and cellular processes, and have even been linked to the progression of diseases, such as cancer. Modulation of GJs is under investigation as a therapeutic strategy to kill tumor cells. Furthermore, GJs have also been studied for their key role in activating anti-cancer immunity and propagating radiation- and oxidative stress-induced cell death to neighboring cells, a process known as the bystander effect. While, gap junction (GJ)-based therapeutic strategies are being developed, one major challenge has been the paradoxical role of GJs in both tumor progression and suppression, based on GJ composition, cancer factors, and tumoral context. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of action, regulation, and the dual characteristics of GJs in cancer is critical for developing effective therapeutics. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of GJs structure, function, and paradoxical pro- and anti-tumoral role in cancer. We also discuss the treatment strategies to target these GJs properties for anti-cancer responses, via modulation of GJ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Oliveira
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-Antwerp (PLASMANT), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados 5001, CEP 09210-580, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
| | - Hanne Verswyvel
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-Antwerp (PLASMANT), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien Smits
- Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rodrigo M Cordeiro
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados 5001, CEP 09210-580, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Annemie Bogaerts
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-Antwerp (PLASMANT), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Abraham Lin
- Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine-Antwerp (PLASMANT), Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium; Center for Oncological Research (CORE), Integrated Personalized and Precision Oncology Network (IPPON), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium
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Jaishankar D, Quinn KM, Sanders J, Plumblee L, Morinelli TA, Nadig SN. Connexins in endothelial cells as a therapeutic target for solid organ transplantation. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:2502-2508. [PMID: 35612993 PMCID: PMC9643625 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.17104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Connexins are a class of membrane proteins widely distributed throughout the body and have various functions based on their location and levels of expression. More specifically, connexin proteins expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) have unique roles in maintaining EC barrier integrity and function-a highly regulated process that is critical for pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant reactions. In this minireview, we discuss the regulatory influence connexin proteins have in maintaining EC barrier integrity and their role in ischemia-reperfusion injury as it relates to organ transplantation. It is evident that certain isoforms of the connexin protein family are uniquely positioned to have far-reaching effects on preserving organ function; however, there is still much to be learned of their roles in transplant immunology and the application of this knowledge to the development of targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Jaishankar
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Kristen M. Quinn
- Department of Surgery, Division of TransplantMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Jes Sanders
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Leah Plumblee
- Department of Surgery, Division of TransplantMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Thomas A. Morinelli
- Department of Surgery, Division of TransplantMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Satish N. Nadig
- Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA,Department of Surgery, Division of TransplantMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA,Department of Microbiology‐Immunology and Pediatrics, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Feinberg School of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA,Simpson Querrey InstituteNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
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Fan Y, Zhu S, Wang J, Zhao Y, Wang X. Propofol protects against oxygen/glucose deprivation‑induced cell injury via gap junction inhibition in astrocytes. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:2896-2904. [PMID: 32945367 PMCID: PMC7453496 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11357] [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: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide with limited clinical therapies available. The present study isolated primary astrocytes from the brains of rats and treated them with oxygen-glucose deprivation and re-oxygenation (OGD/R) to mimic hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) injury in vitro to investigate stroke. It was revealed that propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol), an intravenous sedative and anesthetic agent, protected against oxygen/glucose-deprivation (OGD) and induced cell injury. Furthermore, propofol exerted a protective effect by inhibiting gap junction function, which was also revealed to promote cell death in astrocytes. The present study further identified that propofol suppressed gap junction function by downregulating the protein expression levels of connexin43 (Cx43), which is one of the most essential components of gap junctions in astrocytes. In addition, when the expression levels of Cx43 were downregulated using small interfering RNA, OGD/R-induced cell death was decreased. Conversely, cell death was enhanced when Cx43 was overexpressed, which was reversed following propofol treatment. In summary, propofol protects against OGD-induced injury in astrocytes by decreasing the protein expression levels of Cx43 and suppressing gap junction function. The present study improved our understanding of how propofol protects astrocytes from OGD/R-induced injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, P.R. China
| | - Siyu Zhu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat‑sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat‑sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Yuping Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510623, P.R. China
| | - Xudong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat‑sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
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Propofol attenuates monocyte-endothelial adhesion via modulating connexin43 expression in monocytes. Life Sci 2019; 232:116624. [PMID: 31276689 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.116624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Monocyte-endothelial adhesion is considered to be the primary initiator of inflammatory vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Connexin 43 (Cx43) has been reported to play an important part in this process, however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Intravenous anesthetics, propofol is commonly used in the perioperative period and in the intensive care unit, and considered to have good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Thus, we speculate that propofol could influence monocyte-endothelial adhesion, and explore whether its possible mechanism is relative with Cx43 expression in U937 monocytes influencing cell adhesion of U937 monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). MAIN METHODS Cx43-siRNAs or pc-DNA-Cx43 were used to alter Cx43 expression in U937 monocytes. Propofol was given as pretreatments to U937 monocytes. Then, cell adhesion, ZO-1, LFA-1, VLA-4, COX and MCP-1 were determined. PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway was explored to clarify the possible mechanism. KEY FINDINGS Alternation of Cx43 expression affects cell adhesion and adhesion molecules significantly, such as ZO-1, LFA-1, VLA-4, COX-2 and MCP-1, the mechanism of which is relative with Cx43 influencing the activation of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. Preconditioning with propofol at its clinically relevant anesthesia concentration attenuates cell adhesion. Propofol not only decreases Cx43 expression in U937 monocytes, but also depresses the activation of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. SIGNIFICANCE Modulation Cx43 expression in U937 monocytes could affect cell adhesion via regulating the activation of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway. Propofol attenuates cell adhesion via inhibiting Cx43 and its downstream signaling pathway of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB.
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Su M, Zhang Q. Deficiency of gap junction composed of connexin43 contributes to oxaliplatin resistance in colon cancer cells. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:3669-3674. [PMID: 28927129 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.6598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although comprehensive strategies in the treatment of colorectal cancer have been developed for a number of years, the five-year survival rate of metastatic colon cancer remains less than 10%. Oxaliplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for metastatic colon cancer, improves the response rate of patients and prolongs patients' progression-free survival. However, the generation of resistance limits the clinical application of oxaliplatin, and the mechanisms of this remain unclear. The present study mainly investigated the effect of the gap junction (GJ) composed of connexin43 (Cx43) on oxaliplatin cytotoxicity in colon cancer cells. Three different methods with distinct mechanisms were used to change the function of Cx43 GJs, including cell culture at different densities, pretreatment with a specific inhibitor or enhancer, and special gene knockdown, to observe the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated by Cx43 GJs. The results revealed that the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin and the level of ROS were decreased with the downregulation of Cx43 GJ function, but exacerbated with the upregulation of Cx43 GJ function. Moreover, ROS scavenging with N-acetyl-L-cysteine and apocynin decreased the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin. We concluded that the loss of GJ composed of Cx43 contributed to the resistance of oxaliplatin in colon cancer cells, and the mechanism was associated with intracellular ROS alternation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Su
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Arts and Science/Xiangyang Central Hospital, Xiangyang, Hubei 441021, P.R. China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Arts and Science/Xiangyang Central Hospital, Xiangyang, Hubei 441021, P.R. China
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Zhang Q, Su M. Sufentanil attenuates oxaliplatin cytotoxicity via inhibiting connexin 43‑composed gap junction function. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:943-948. [PMID: 28586033 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive strategies for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) have become increasingly important. One of the most important factors is pain relief. Therefore, patients with CRC are concurrently treated with analgesics and chemotherapeutic agents; however, the effects of analgesics on the therapeutic activity of chemotherapeutic agents remain largely unknown. The present study investigated the effects of three widely used analgesics in clinics: Fentanyl, remifentanil and sufentanil, on the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for CRC. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of those effects in association with connexin 43 (Cx43)‑composed gap junction (GJ) function were analyzed. The Lovo, Colo320, HCT116 and HT29 human CRC cell lines, with or without Cx43 expression, were used to examine the effects of the three analgesics on the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin. The results demonstrated that in the cell lines expressing Cx43 (Lovo and Colo320), the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin was attenuated and Cx43 GJ function was inhibited. Sufentanil, not fentanyl or remifentanil, inhibited Cx43 GJ function effectively, and reduced the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin. In contrast, these effects were not observed in the other two colon cancer cell lines not expressing Cx43 (HCT116 and HT29). These results suggested that alternation of Cx43 GJ function may regulate the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin in regard to CRC. Furthermore, sufentanil, not fentanyl or remifentanil, suppressed the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin through inhibition of Cx43 GJ function. These results may be beneficial for the treatment of CRC and reduction of treatment resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Arts and Science/Xiangyang Central Hospital, Xiangyang, Hubei 441021, P.R. China
| | - Min Su
- Department of Oncology, Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Arts and Science/Xiangyang Central Hospital, Xiangyang, Hubei 441021, P.R. China
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Zou ZW, Chen HJ, Yu JL, Huang ZH, Fang S, Lin XH. Gap junction composed of connexin43 modulates 5‑fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and irinotecan resistance on colorectal cancers. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:4893-4900. [PMID: 27748862 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used therapeutic strategies for metastatic colon cancer. However, the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents limits their application in clinical use. The underlying mechanisms of this resistance development require further elucidation. The current study investigated the effects of connexin43 (Cx43) gap junctions on 5‑fluorouracil (5‑FU), oxaliplatin and irinotecan in colon cancer cells. Three different methods were used to manipulate Cx43 gap junction function: i) Cell culture at different densities; ii) pretreatment with a Cx43 specific inhibitor or enhancer; and iii) Cx43 gene knock‑down. Results indicated that the cell toxicity of 5‑FU, oxaliplatin and irinotecan was cell density‑dependent, which was mediated by gap junctions. Downregulation of Cx43 gap junction functioning attenuated 5‑FU, oxaliplatin and irinotecan toxicity in colon cancer cells, which was increased in cells treated with a Cx43 gap junction function enhancer. Thus, the results of the present study suggest that resistance to 5‑FU, oxaliplatin and irinotecan in colon cancer cells was relative to Cx43 expression loss as cancer developed, which may indicate a novel basis for therapeutic strategy development to combat drug resistance in numerous cell types, in addition to colon cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Wei Zou
- Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Jin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Long Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Zong-Hai Huang
- Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Shun Fang
- Department of Pathology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Hua Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510282, P.R. China
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Yuan D, Su G, Liu Y, Chi X, Feng J, Zhu Q, Cai J, Luo G, Hei Z. Propofol attenuated liver transplantation-induced acute lung injury via connexin43 gap junction inhibition. J Transl Med 2016; 14:194. [PMID: 27364362 PMCID: PMC4929774 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-0954-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postoperative acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe complication after liver transplantation, which influences patient survival rate obviously. However, its mechanisms are unclear and effective therapies are still lacking. The current study focused on effects of propofol on liver transplantation-induced ALI and whether its underlying mechanism was relative with connexin43 (Cx43) alternation. The authors postulated that endotoxin induced enhancement of Cx43 gap junction (GJ) plays a critical role in mediating post liver transplantation ALI and that pretreatment with the anesthetic propofol, known to inhibit gap junction, can confer effective protection. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent autologous orthotopic liver transplantation (AOLT) in the absence or presence of treatments with the selective Cx43 inhibitor, enanthol (0.1 mg/kg) and propofol (50 mg/kg), a commonly used anesthetic in clinical anesthesia. In vitro study, BEAS-2B cells, a kind of lung epithelial cell line expressing Cx43, exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which mainly contributed to ALI. Function of Cx43 GJ was regulated by Cx43 specific inhibitors, gap26 (300 μM) or enhancer, retinoic acid (10 μM) and two specific siRNAs. RESULTS Compared with the sham group, AOLT results in ALI obviously with plasma endotoxin increase. Cx43 inhibition decreased ALI through inflammatory reaction reduction. In vitro studies, LPS-induced BEAS-2B cells damage was attenuated by Cx43 function inhibition, but amplified by enhancement. Another important finding was propofol reduced Cx43 function and protected against LPS-mediated BEAS-2B cells damage or AOLT-induced ALI, mechanisms of which were also associated with inflammatory reaction decrease. CONCLUSION Cx43 plays a vital role in liver transplantation-induced ALI. Propofol decreased Cx43 function and protected against ALI in vivo and in vitro. This finding provide a new basis for targeted intervention of organ protection in liver transplantation, even in other kinds of operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guangjie Su
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinjin Chi
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiayu Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qianqian Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Cai
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gangjian Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ziqing Hei
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Zhang Y, Wang X, Wang Q, Ge H, Tao L. Propofol depresses cisplatin cytotoxicity via the inhibition of gap junctions. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:4715-20. [PMID: 27082707 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The general anesthetic, propofol, affects chemotherapeutic activity, however, the mechanism underlying its effects remains to be fully elucidated. Our previous study showed that tramadol and flurbiprofen depressed the cytotoxicity of cisplatin via the inhibition of gap junction (GJ) intercellular communication (GJIC) in connexin (Cx)32 HeLa cells. The present study investigated whether the effects of propofol on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin were mediated by GJ in U87 glioma cells and Cx26‑transfected HeLa cells. Standard colony formation assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of cisplatin. Parachute dye coupling assay was used to measure GJ function, and western blot analysis was used to determine the expression levels of Cx32. The results revealed that exposure of the U87 glioma cells and the Cx26-transfected HeLa cells to cisplatin for 1 h reduced clonogenic survival in low density cultures (without GJs) and high density cultures (with GJs). However, the toxic effect was higher in the high density culture. In addition, pretreatment of the cells with propofol significantly reduced cisplatin‑induced cytotoxicity, but only in the presence of functional GJs. Furthermore, propofol significantly inhibited dye coupling through junctional channels, and a long duration of exposure of the cells to propofol downregulated the expression levels of Cx43 and Cx26. These results demonstrated that the inhibition of GJIC by propofol affected the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. The present study provides evidence of a novel mechanism underlying the effects of analgesics in counteracting chemotherapeutic efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Xiyan Wang
- Tumor Research Institute, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
| | - Hui Ge
- Tumor Research Institute, Xinjiang Medical University Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830000, P.R. China
| | - Liang Tao
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China
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Luo C, Yuan D, Li X, Yao W, Luo G, Chi X, Li H, Irwin MG, Xia Z, Hei Z. Propofol attenuated acute kidney injury after orthotopic liver transplantation via inhibiting gap junction composed of connexin 32. Anesthesiology 2015; 122:72-86. [PMID: 25254904 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000000448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postliver transplantation acute kidney injury (AKI) severely affects patient survival, whereas the mechanism is unclear and effective therapy is lacking. The authors postulated that reperfusion induced enhancement of connexin32 (Cx32) gap junction plays a critical role in mediating postliver transplantation AKI and that pretreatment/precondition with the anesthetic propofol, known to inhibit gap junction, can confer effective protection. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent autologous orthotopic liver transplantation (AOLT) in the absence or presence of treatments with the selective Cx32 inhibitor, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate or propofol (50 mg/kg) (n = 8 per group). Also, kidney tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cells were subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation and the function of Cx32 was manipulated by three distinct mechanisms: cell culture in different density; pretreatment with Cx32 inhibitors or enhancer; Cx32 gene knock-down (n = 4 to 5). RESULTS AOLT resulted in significant increases of renal Cx32 protein expression and gap junction, which were coincident with increases in oxidative stress and impairment in renal function and tissue injury as compared to sham group. Similarly, hypoxia-reoxygenation resulted in significant cellular injury manifested as reduced cell growth and increased lactate dehydrogenase release, which was significantly attenuated by Cx32 gene knock-down but exacerbated by Cx32 enhancement. Propofol inhibited Cx32 function and attenuated post-AOLT AKI. In NRK-52E cells, propofol reduced posthypoxic reactive oxygen species production and attenuated cellular injury, and the cellular protective effects of propofol were reinforced by Cx32 inhibition but cancelled by Cx32 enhancement. CONCLUSION Cx32 plays a critical role in AOLT-induced AKI and that inhibition of Cx32 function may represent a new and major mechanism whereby propofol reduces oxidative stress and subsequently attenuates post-AOLT AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfang Luo
- From the Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China (C.L., D.Y., X.L., W.Y., G.L., X.C., Z.H.); and Department of Anesthesiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China (H.L., M.G.I., Z.X.)
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Huang F, Li S, Gan X, Wang R, Chen Z. Propofol inhibits gap junctions by attenuating sevoflurane-induced cytotoxicity against rat liver cells in vitro. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2014; 31:219-24. [PMID: 24145807 DOI: 10.1097/01.eja.0000435059.98170.da] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver abnormalities are seen in a small proportion of patients following anaesthesia with sevoflurane. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether the cytotoxicity of sevoflurane against rat liver cells was mediated by gap junction intercellular communications, and the effect of propofol on sevoflurane-induced cytotoxicity. DESIGN Experimental study. SETTING The study was carried out in the central laboratory of The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University. CELL LINE BRL-3A rat liver cells. METHODS Immortal rat liver cells BRL-3A were grown at low and high density. Colony-forming assays were performed to determine clonogenic growth of these cells. To investigate the effect of oleamide and propofol on gap junction function, we measured fluorescence transmission between cells using parachute dye-coupling assays. Immunoblotting assays were performed to determine connexin32 and connexin43 expression. RESULTS Our colony formation assays revealed that, in low-density culture, sevoflurane caused no apparent inhibition of clonogenic growth of BRL-3A cells. In high-density culture, 2.2 to 4.4% sevoflurane markedly inhibited clonogenic growth of BRL-3A cells with 67.6 (0.34)% and 61.2 (0.17)% of the cells being viable, respectively (P = 0.003 vs. low-density culture), suggesting cell density dependency of sevoflurane-induced cytotoxicity. Our colony formation assays revealed that propofol markedly attenuated the suppression by sevoflurane of the clonogenic growth of BRL-3A cells (viability: propofol and sevoflurane, 91.5 (0.014)% vs. sevoflurane, 56.6 (0.019)%; P <0.01). Blocking gap junctions with 10 μmol l oleamide significantly attenuated 4.4% sevoflurane-induced suppression with a viability of 83.6 ± 0.138% (oleamide and sevoflurane vs. sevoflurane, P < 0.01). Immunoblotting assays further showed that propofol (3.2 μg ml) markedly reduced CX32 levels and significantly inhibited gap junctional intercellular communications as revealed by parachute dye-coupling assays. Values are mean (SD). CONCLUSION This study provides the first direct evidence that sevoflurane-induced cytotoxicity, which is mediated through gap junctions, is attenuated by propofol, possibly by its action on Cx32 homomeric or heteromeric complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Huang
- From the Department of Anaesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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